Wishing to bring a different experience to diners, while promoting traditional cultural products in Vietnam, in 2019, Mr. Hoang Duc Lam - owner of a pho brand with many branches in Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City, ... "upgraded" the familiar beef pho dish to a new version, impressive from ingredients to appearance.

Accordingly, instead of using the usual bowls, this special pho dish is served in a large ceramic bowl with a diameter of 30cm. This type of bowl was specially ordered by Mr. Lam, hand-painted by artisans in Bat Trang pottery village in 8 hours.

453223861_1010470414416192_3404626472437961211_n.jpg
Pho served in a giant bowl with nearly half a kilo of ribs and various types of beef
The bowl is decorated with sophisticated motifs, contributing to spreading the beauty of traditional culture and craft villages in Vietnam.

The bowl is designed with 5 colors, symbolizing the five elements. Diners can choose the color according to their own preferences or ask the staff to advise on the color that suits their destiny. In addition, spoons and chopsticks are also used separately for this unique bowl of pho.

The owner said that in addition to creating a visual highlight, the "huge" sized bowl also ensures that it can hold a full meal with many accompanying ingredients.

“Because each special bowl of pho is served with many types of meat and large pieces of ribs, it is difficult to use a regular bowl,” said Mr. Lam.

Specifically, each bowl of pho will have 350 grams of beef ribs and 100 grams of various types of beef such as rare meat, well-done meat, flank, brisket, tendon, etc. In addition, diners will also be served a bowl of poached eggs and a plate of fried breadsticks to eat with it.

To Lanh.jpg
A large piece of beef rib, stewed for several hours, is the highlight of a giant bowl of pho.

According to Mr. Lam, to make delicious pho with the right flavor, the ingredients must be carefully selected. The beef must be fresh and imported daily from the largest farm in the North.

The restaurant serves both traditional pho noodles and hand-cut, large noodles, made to order, without borax. The ribs are simmered for 3-4 hours, the broth is simmered from bones and sea worms for 24 hours to create a rich, naturally sweet flavor without the need for too many other spices.

“Because the raw materials are strictly selected and the quantity of fresh beef ribs is limited, each establishment only sells 10 special pho dishes per day,” the restaurant owner shared.

On weekdays, each bowl of special pho costs 168,000 VND (meaning Nhat Loc Phat - according to the concept of wealth). On Mondays, if diners order this dish, they only have to pay 99,000 VND.

Diners experience pho in a giant bowl
beef noodle soup.jpg
The bowls used for decoration are larger than the bowls used to serve pho (35cm in diameter) at a "giant" pho restaurant in Hanoi.

In addition to pho served in giant bowls, the restaurant also serves traditional pho dishes, priced from 40,000 VND/bowl, and many other hot pots and hot dishes made from fresh beef.

The owner said that each special bowl of pho not only contains traditional cultural values ​​and culinary beauty, but also spreads a meaningful message, expressing the desire for goodness for health, the environment and the community.

Photo: Lam Hoang

On Hang Da Street (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi), there is a "super small, super cramped" tofu shop, but every night it is crowded with customers. Dozens of people line up to buy.