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Michelin doesn't award stars for flashy dishes, but rather recognizes places where people find seriousness, passion, and consistency in every detail of the food. Pho Khoi Hoi's inclusion on the Michelin list for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025, is no surprise to those who have visited. With prices ranging from only 40,000 to 90,000 VND per bowl of pho, diners can enjoy a hearty, high-quality meal without worrying about the cost.
Nestled on the bustling Hang Vai street in the heart of Hoan Kiem district, Pho Khoi Hoi has long been a familiar meeting place for discerning foodies in Hanoi. Without flashy signs or loud advertising, this small eatery has quietly and persistently existed for over 25 years, a humble witness to the capital's culinary scene.
What's special is that not only locals but also celebrities, coaches, and players of the Vietnamese national team are regulars here. They come not for the glamour, but simply to rediscover the traditional, rich, and distinctive flavor of pho that Pho Khoi Hoi still preserves.
Ms. Minh Nguyet, the owner (wife of Mr. Khoi Hoi), shared that she didn't pay attention to when the Michelin Guide judges came to eat because the restaurant was always crowded. She wasn't too surprised to learn that her pho brand had been awarded the Bib Gourmand prize. "The restaurant has always maintained a large and stable customer base thanks to its good service and delicious food."
The pho restaurant attracts customers with its captivating flavor.
A "Michelin Bib Gourmand" pho restaurant in the heart of the Old Quarter.
The name "Bald Khôi" - from a playful nickname to a brand.
The name "Phở Khôi Hói" (Bald Khôi Pho) sounds rustic and intriguing, but it originates from the distinctive appearance of the owner – a middle-aged man with a shiny bald head, a cheerful personality, and always enthusiastic towards customers. However, behind this humorous name lies a serious and dedicated process of making pho. Mr. Khôi is not only the owner but also the head chef, directly supervising every step from selecting ingredients, simmering bones, slicing meat, to serving each bowl of pho. Perhaps it is this meticulousness that has helped the restaurant build trust with customers, especially in a Hanoi where more and more restaurants with all kinds of modern styles are popping up.
Khôi Hói Pho doesn't chase trends or elaborate recipe variations. Instead, the restaurant preserves the true spirit of traditional Hanoi pho: a clear broth, fragrant with roasted ginger, dried onions, star anise, and cinnamon, with a subtly sweet taste from carefully simmered beef bones. What sets Khôi Hói apart most is the quality of its broth – the "soul" of the pho. Each pot of broth here is simmered from fresh beef bones for many hours, completely free of MSG, and instead uses radish, onions, and natural spices to create its sweetness.
Pho Khoi Hoi offers a variety of tempting options with different cuts of beef.
Even the beef – an equally important part of a bowl of pho – is handled with extreme care. Unlike many places that pre-slice the meat to save time, at Pho Khoi Hoi, the meat is only sliced directly after the customer orders. This helps the meat retain its freshness and ensures that its natural sweetness is not lost. In particular, the rare beef shank here is cut into slices of just the right thickness, offering a crunchy yet tender texture, creating a truly delightful dining experience.
Delicious pho - just the right amount of space, a familiar spot for food connoisseurs.
While not spacious or luxurious, Khoi Hoi restaurant offers a cozy and airy atmosphere. The seating is neatly arranged and clean. Every morning, the restaurant welcomes customers early, the clacking of knives slicing meat blending with the fragrant aroma of steaming hot broth, creating a warm and very Hanoi-style ambiance.
Customers sit close together, but no one seems uncomfortable, because they come to enjoy, to savor a bowl of pho in the truest sense. The restaurant doesn't need air conditioning or fancy tables and chairs. The rustic charm of the place is its soul, making diners feel familiar, as if they were sitting in their own family kitchen.
Pho Khoi Hoi offers a wide selection of tempting beef cuts: cooked pho, brisket pho, crispy brisket, rare crispy brisket, rare cooked, flank, brisket, crispy flank, special pho… In particular, those who love beef brisket will never forget the golden, crispy, and fatty brisket fat, along with the tender meat that melts in your mouth.
Besides pho soup, the restaurant also offers stir-fried pho, stir-fried noodles, rare beef, pan-fried, and even beef stew – side dishes that diversify the dining experience while maintaining the spirit of the traditional dish. Each dish is prepared with meticulous care and skill, ensuring a distinct flavor that doesn't blend with others. It is this investment in every small detail that has kept Pho Khoi Hoi loyal to customers for so many years.
Pho Khoi Hoi is more than just a restaurant. It's a place that evokes memories of old Hanoi, where people come not only to eat but also to chat, to start a new day with the aroma of the broth, the sweetness of the beef, and the delicate texture of each soft, chewy noodle. Those who have eaten here may leave the city, but they will forever cherish the image of the friendly bald owner, the steaming bowls of pho, and the unforgettable rich flavor.
No matter how life changes, no matter how modern the city becomes, Pho Khoi Hoi still stands there, like a "small flame" smoldering, preserving the essence of traditional cuisine. A bowl of pho, sometimes, is not just a dish, but a memory, an emotion, a symbol of meticulousness, sincerity, and perseverance.
Amidst the countless pho restaurants that spring up every year in Hanoi, Pho Khoi Hoi at 50C Hang Vai still holds its position as a "landmark" of traditional flavor. Without marketing gimmicks or elaborate decorations, the restaurant wins hearts with its simplicity, sophistication, and the dedication poured into each bowl of pho. That's what makes people love, appreciate, and always return – as a thank you to those who practice the craft with integrity and cherish the original values of Vietnamese culinary culture.
Amidst the countless pho restaurants that spring up every year in Hanoi, Pho Khoi Hoi at 50C Hang Vai still holds its position as a "landmark" of traditional flavor.
