Da Nang's Best Pho

Da Nẵng stands at the crossroads of Vietnam’s rich culinary landscape, where distinct regional phở traditions gather in a single city. Each restaurant below brings a story from afar, to create a rare and vibrant dialogue of flavor and culture—offering a taste of the nation’s diversity and unity in every spoonful. So, explore MAKARA Bar's recommendations, and experience some of the best phở in Da Nang. 

⸻

Hanoi-Style Phở

Phở Việt Béo (35 Lý Tự Trọng, Hải Châu)

Hanoi is the birthplace of phở, and its style remains the standard-bearer for connoisseurs seeking clarity and balance. Phở Việt Béo exemplifies Hanoi’s minimalist ethos—a broth of remarkable transparency, delicately simmered with star anise, cinnamon, and charred ginger. The garnishes are restrained: fresh, crisp herbs and a touch of lime accentuate without overwhelming. Quẩy, the golden, crackling crullers beloved in the North, are available and well worth dipping. This style invites contemplation; every sip and bite reveals layers of subtlety that define the northern palate.

⸻

Saigon-Style Phở

Phở Ngon Hoàng Hà (116 Yên Bái, Hải Châu)

Saigon’s phở is a celebration of abundance and boldness. Phở Ngon Hoàng Hà captures southern Vietnam’s penchant for sweetness and richness, with a broth that sings with onions, star anise, and a generous hand of herbs. The complexity here is unmistakable, with a golden broth shimmering with depth and sweetness. Diners are encouraged to customize their bowls with an array of fresh herbs, lime, and chili, transforming each serving into a vibrant, personalized experience.

⸻

Hội An-Style Phở

Phở Liến Hội An (1 Triệu Nữ Vương, Hải Châu)

Hội An’s phở style is a delicate interplay of subtle flavors and fresh ingredients. At Phở Liến Hội An, the use of micro basil from Trà Quế gardens in Hội An lends a fragrant, refined note that sets this style apart. The broth is lighter and less oily, underscoring a delicate sweetness that complements rather than competes with the fresh herbs. Seasoned, toasted bánh mì slices, used here for dipping, offer a rustic alternative to quẩy. This phở embodies the calm, harmonious spirit of Hội An’s culinary tradition, inviting diners to savor the understated elegance of each ingredient in quiet conversation.

⸻

Chicken Phở (Phở Gà)

Phở Gà Khánh Linh (127 Đỗ Bá, Bắc Phú Mỹ, Ngũ Hành Sơn)

Chicken phở presents a lighter, more aromatic counterpart to the traditional beef variant. Phở Gà Khánh Linh remains faithful to Hanoi’s revered chicken phở tradition, with a broth clearer and lighter than its beef counterpart, yet no less soulful. The balance of bright herbs, lime, and chili enhances the dish’s complexity while maintaining the clean, savory clarity that defines classic chicken phở.

⸻

Stir-Fried Beef Phở (Phở Tái Lăn)

Phở Thìn (60 Pasteur, Hải Châu)

Phở Thìn’s stir-fried beef phở is a masterclass in transforming traditional broth through technique. Here, the beef is briefly caramelized before introduction to the clear, fragrant broth, infusing the dish with caramelized undertones and a depth rare among traditional phở bowls. This method creates a textured contrast that elevates the phở beyond the conventional, demonstrating culinary innovation grounded in tradition. The balance between the hearty beef and fresh herbs offers a dynamic and satisfying experience that resonates deeply with phở aficionados.