Not bun thang, this dish, which costs only 35,000 VND/bowl, is the Vietnamese flavor that is among the best in the world.

This dish with a sweet broth made from vegetables, simple yet sophisticated flavors, has now gone beyond the scope of Vietnam to be honored on the world culinary map.

Sweet and light dishes honored by the world

In August 2025, TasteAtlas announced a list of 98 delicious noodle dishes in the world, in which Vietnamese vegetarian pho (vegan pho) was named and ranked 25th, alongside beef pho (ranked 6th) and pho (ranked 8th). The ranking said the results were based on thousands of system-verified reviews.

According to TasteAtlas, pho has long been a symbolic dish of Vietnam, appearing since the early 20th century. Through many changes, pho has a series of variations: beef pho, chicken pho, seafood pho, stir-fried pho... and even vegetarian pho. Initially, vegetarian pho was mainly served on religious fasting days or abstinence habits. But gradually, as healthy lifestyles and vegetarianism for health became more popular, vegetarian pho became a familiar dish, appearing on the menus of many eateries and restaurants in large cities.

Vietnamese vegetarian pho (vegan pho) was named and ranked 25th in the list of 98 delicious noodle dishes in the world. (Photo: Youtube)

Unlike traditional pho, vegetarian pho broth is made entirely from plant ingredients. Cooks often roast ginger and onions to create a distinctive aroma, then stew them with shiitake mushrooms, carrots, white radishes, cabbage or sweet corn. Familiar spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, coriander seeds, and cloves are still preserved, creating a very Vietnamese pho flavor.

A bowl of vegetarian pho usually comes with fried tofu, stir-fried mushrooms, bean curd skin, herbs, bean sprouts, lime and chili. The clear broth, the natural sweetness from the vegetables, combined with the chewy texture of the pho noodles and the richness of the tofu, brings a strange yet familiar experience.

Prices and consumption habits

It is worth noting that the price of vegetarian pho is still quite affordable, suitable for many people. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a bowl of vegetarian pho at a small restaurant costs from 35,000 to 50,000 VND, while at high-end vegetarian restaurants or restaurants serving foreign tourists, the price can be from 80,000 to 120,000 VND.

Vegetarian pho broth is made entirely from plant ingredients. (Photo: Moc Nhien)

Many young people today seek out vegetarian pho not only because they are vegetarian for religious reasons, but also because they want a light meal, low in fat but still full of energy. Thanks to that, vegetarian pho is increasingly appearing on the morning menu, office lunch and even family dinners.

Where to eat vegetarian pho?

Nowadays, vegetarian pho is no longer a dish that only appears on full moon days or holidays. In all big cities, from cheap vegetarian restaurants to luxury restaurants, diners can easily order a hot bowl of vegetarian pho. Visitors can easily find vegetarian pho at many locations:

• Hanoi: Vegetarian restaurants such as An Phuc Vegetarian Rice, Anh Hai Vegetarian Pho, or small eateries in the Old Quarter all serve this.
• Ho Chi Minh City: famous for the Hum Vegetarian, Veggie Saigon, iVegan chains..., where vegetarian pho is beautifully prepared and suitable for international tastes.
• Other cities: Da Nang , Nha Trang, Hue... also have vegetarian restaurants with vegetarian pho as the main dish.

This popularity shows that vegetarian pho has transcended religious boundaries to become a modern culinary choice.

Interesting variations of vegetarian pho

Not only stopping at the traditional flavor, vegetarian pho today is created with many different recipes to satisfy the diverse tastes of diners. Each variation brings a unique experience, from light and bland to rich and flavorful. Vegetarian pho also has many attractive variations:

• Mushroom and tofu pho: the most popular version, both nutritious and easy to cook.
• Braised vegetable pho: emphasizes the natural sweetness of seasonal vegetables, with little oil.
• Northern and Southern vegetarian pho: the North focuses on a light taste, clear broth, and the aroma of anise and cinnamon; the South stands out thanks to its rich herbs and the accompanying bowl of strong soy sauce.

It is this flexibility that helps vegetarian pho suit the diverse tastes of both domestic and international diners.

Vegetarian Pho has become a bridge to help international friends approach Vietnamese cuisine in the most comfortable and friendly way. (Photo: Youtube)

TasteAtlas ranked vegetarian pho at number 25 in the list of the 98 best noodle soups in the world in 2025, alongside "big brothers" such as beef pho and chicken pho. According to the assessment, vegetarian pho is not only a lighter version of pho, but also an independent dish with its own identity, conquering even those who are not vegetarians.

This reflects the global culinary trend: Eat green, live healthy. In that context, vegetarian pho becomes a bridge to help international friends approach Vietnamese cuisine in the most pleasant and friendly way.

No need for meat or stewed bones, a bowl of vegetarian pho is still enough to make you remember. The sweetness of mushrooms, the aroma of traditional spices, the softness of pho noodles and the freshness of herbs, all blend into a dish that is both familiar and strange.

Being ranked by TasteAtlas as one of the dishes with the best broth in the world shows that Vietnamese cuisine is not only attractive in its "national soul" dishes such as beef noodle soup, but even the simple vegetarian version can leave a strong impression on international friends.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/khong-phai-bun-thang-mon-an-chi-tu-35000-dong-bat-nay-moi-la-huong-vi-viet-lot-top-ngon-nhat-the-gioi-172250828112757569.htm