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Last September, news spread across social media that Chi Pu had opened her first pho restaurant in China, specifically in Shanghai. This was one of the singer's first activities in the country of over a billion people after participating in the third season of the reality show "Sisters Riding the Waves".
According to information she shared on social media, the pho restaurant is located in one of the famous neighborhoods in Jing'an District, Shanghai, and is named "La Ganh". In a post, Chi Pu shared: "After months of preparation, my restaurant is about to open in Shanghai. We are very happy to share the best Northern-style pho with you." She also introduced the two co-founders of this pho brand, Chengling Zhang and Helen Trinh.
Chi Pu with the two co-founders in a series of promotional photos.
Chi Pu's post received tens of thousands of interactions on social media platforms. Many Vietnamese and Chinese fans simultaneously sent congratulatory messages for the grand opening and expressed their desire to experience it firsthand.
Reportedly, La Ganh pho restaurant opened for a trial period at the end of September and officially opened in mid-October. The restaurant was open throughout the Chinese National Day holiday from September 29th to October 6th.
The small, cozy space attracts many diners and fans alike who come to show their support.
Currently, Chi Pu's pho restaurant is in its trial run, so it only serves one combo including beef pho, fried dough sticks, poached egg, and lotus tea. The pho is served in a tall bowl, with white rice noodles, large slices of beef, and plenty of green onions. Besides fried dough sticks, they also serve poached eggs. Furthermore, the condiment tray remains original with garlic vinegar, fresh chili peppers, and chili sauce. Another point that appeals to Vietnamese pho enthusiasts is that while many pho restaurants in China serve Southern-style pho, Chi Pu's restaurant cooks it in the Northern style. However, the broth has probably been slightly modified, with more fat added to suit local tastes.
The average price at Chi Pu's pho restaurant might surprise many Vietnamese people. But given the relatively high cost of living in Shanghai, 200,000 VND for a bowl of pho is perfectly understandable.
A combo meal includes beef pho, fried dough sticks, poached eggs, and lotus tea.
After trying it, many diners have given glowing reviews, calling it the most authentic Vietnamese pho they've ever known. The naturally sweet broth, perfectly chewy noodles, and generous amount of meat are major plus points in the bowl of pho at Chi Pu's restaurant.
"My intention was to take a stroll and happened to pass by Chi Pu's newly opened pho restaurant. The restaurant is in its trial period, so they only serve one fixed portion size, but it's very delicious, and the service is lovely. They showed me how to eat and cared to see if it suited my taste," a Chinese customer shared.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, diners view the menu, order food, and pay by scanning a QR code or using a mobile app. This method is very common in restaurants in China. Many diners have shared their impressions of the restaurant's small but cozy atmosphere. From their tables, customers can observe the cooking area. Staff explained that the broth is simmered from beef bones for 6-8 hours, cooked according to Vietnamese recipes.
From their tables, diners can observe the cooking area.
According to customer reviews on Weibo, the restaurant is very crowded, often with long wait times during peak hours. Many Chinese people praised the pho for its generous amount of meat, chewy yet soft noodles, and broth that harmonized well with their taste. Many also expressed their hope that the restaurant's menu would offer more diverse Vietnamese dishes in the future.
