What’s the perfect dish for cold weather? A heartwarming bowl of pho. This Vietnamese soup dish consists of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat. It’s simple yet filling and definitely comforting when the mercury drops. In Hong Kong, there’s no shortage of Vietnamese restaurants to try this classic dish. But how do you know where’s the best among them all? In this month’s edition of chef recommendations, we sought the expertise of chef John Nguyen. After all, he’s one of the pioneers of modern Vietnamese cuisine in the city. Find out chef John’s top picks of the best pho in Hong Kong below.
Pho is a staple in any Vietnamese household, street stalls, and restaurants. It’s also a top favourite in Hong Kong when it comes to Vietnamese dishes. Pho’s origins are not well documented but it’s believed to have originated in the early 20th century in Northern Vietnam. The dish also has a Northern (from Hanoi) and Southern (from Saigon) style that vary in broth, herbs, sauce, and noodle width. This month is also perfect for this dish because December 12 is the “Day of Pho” in Vietnam. So, in our quest to find the best in Hong Kong, there’s no one better to ask for pho recommendations than chef John Nguyen.
He’s often hailed for his contributions to the Vietnamese culinary scene in Hong Kong with his innovative menus. Born in Saigon, chef John first gained attention in New York City with the opening of Hanoi House. His dynamic approach to Vietnamese cuisine that defied conventional expectations turned heads. He brought his decades of experience to Hong Kong, opening Xuan in Wan Chai in 2020. After that stint, he became the culinary director for Vietnamese cuisine at Blacksheep Restaurants, elevating the culinary standards across their restaurants.
Now, he’s starting a new chapter as the executive chef of multiple Asian restaurants under Chess House Group, notably spearheading Mamtom. Chef John continues to showcase his culinary talents while tapping into his Vietnamese roots combined with his eye (or taste) for modern touches. Check out his recommendations for the best pho in Hong Kong — tried and tested by an expert.
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Where to find the best pho in Hong Kong, according to chef John Nguyen of Mamtom
Mamtom
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The dish: Pho Bo Wagyu
Chef John’s first recommendation is his special creation at Mamtom. The Southeast Asian restaurant recently opened its doors with chef John at the helm. The restaurant touts itself as a “laid-back beer garden” complete with views of Victoria Harbour. Chef John’s playful take on elevated Southeast Asian dishes, particularly from Vietnam, is best seen in the Pho Bo Wagyu. It can even be paired with delicious roasted bone marrow.
“I love our pho because it blends North (traditional) and South (diverse) Vietnamese cuisine. That makes it very beefy and has depth in terms of flavour. We cook it for over 24 hours and topped it with brisket and wagyu. Plus, having roasted bone marrow (for an additional price) adds even more depth and beo (‘fat’ in Vietnamese). We’re also proud that this Wagyu pho is halal certified allowing more diners to enjoy it. In fact, all of the dishes at Mamtom are halal!”
- Address Shop 1-6, 45-46, G/F, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2721 3600
- Price range HKD 200-400
- Opening hours Monday to Thursday, Sunday from 12 pm to 1 am, Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 2 am
Viet: Premium Pho Experience
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The dish: Hanwoo or Japanese A5 Pho Noodle Soup
A quaint eatery in Happy Valley, Viet: Premium Pho Experience has a legion of fans including local stars Charmaine Sheh and Joey Yung. Chef John is also one of them. The cosy atmosphere is further enhanced by the live cooking experience from the chef as they prepare the dish in front of you.
“What I love about this place is that you can sit in front of the chef and he’ll make the dish right before your eyes. My favourite pho here is their premium choices (either Hanwoo or Japanese A5). The broth is a bit unique because the chef added his special blend to it. But sorry, I can’t tell you what it is or he will kill me…”
- Address G/F, 12 Min Fat Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2104 2828
- Price range HKD 100-200
- Opening hours Daily from 11:30 am to 9 pm
Cô Thành
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The dish: Pho Tai Bam
Cô Thành brings the dishes of the famous Nguyễn Thi Thành or The Lunch Lady to Hong Kong. She achieved global fame for serving one dish a day, a rotation of local Vietnamese noodle soups. It even caught the attention of none other than the late Anthony Bourdain. Cô Thành pays homage to this legacy by serving authentic Vietnamese dishes with over 70% of the ingredients hand-picked by the culinary team.
“Cô Thành is always my sure bet place to go for a hot bowl of pho. I love their minced beef because you can choose from either a light or heavy broth. Plus, you can order a Chinese doughnut to make the dish a northern-style pho.”
- Address Shop 123, L1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 7073 7735
- Price range HKD 100-200
- Opening hours Daily from 11:30 am to 10 pm
SEP
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The dish: Pho Bo (dinner) or Pho Ga (lunch)
For a lavish and modern take on Vietnamese cuisine, look no further than SEP. The Vietnamese restaurant boasts a wood-fire concept to bring a new dining experience to Hong Kong diners. Its name is taken from the Vietnamese word for “boss” or “chef” with the intention for diners to eat like a boss. The dinner tasting is a highlight but also come in for the lunchtime picks just as chef John does.
“I love SEP for a date night. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and you can see all of the chefs making your food. The highlight for me is the pho on the tasting menu at dinner time. At lunchtime, you can choose a Pho Ga that is made of yellow chicken. You really can’t go wrong with either one.”
- Address 19/F, High Block, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2116 5433
- Price range HKD 400-800
- Opening hours Weekdays from 12 pm to 2 pm and 5:30 pm to 11 pm, Saturdays from 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Le Soleil
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The dish: Vietnamese Beef Noodles in Le Soleil-style Soup
Le Soleil is the Hong Kong outpost of the award-winning restaurant of the same name in San Francisco. The local branch sits on The Royal Garden’s third-floor mezzanine, giving diners a wonderful view of the atrium’s greenery and water features. All that while enjoy the Vietnamese dishes with a sprinkle of pan-Asian fusion.
“Their Beef Pho is one of my favourite things to get on the menu. It’s super filling and has tons of herbs, hoisin sauce, and chilli sauce.”
- Address 3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2733 2033
- Price range HKD 200-400
- Opening hours Daily from 12 pm to 10:30 pm
An Choi
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The dish: Beef Pho
Let’s get down to business at An Choi. We’re talking about no-fuss street food, colourful plastic stools, aromatic noodle dishes, and buzzy drinks. These are the hallmarks of Vietnam’s street food scene, embroidered all into one at An Choi. Chef-ower Lewis Dai and his wife Kay have truly captured the hearts, or tastebuds rather, of Hongkongers seeking Vietnamese comfort food. Just look at the queue around lunchtime or their (deserved) inclusion in the Michelin Bib Guide. Chef John himself also agrees.
“Every single day, there is a noodle soup special available such as Pho Ga, Bun Bo Hue, and everything else in between. My favourite is Beef Pho. It’s super light, refreshing, and aromatic thanks to all the herbs. It definitely tastes like a bowl of soup from Saigon. The restaurant itself is super cute and it reminds me of being somewhere in the middle of Vietnam.”
- Address 15-17 Mercer Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 5286 1517
- Price range HKD 100-200
- Opening hours Daily from 12 pm to 10 pm
IYKYK
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The dish: Beef Pho
IYKYK indeed, or if you know, you know. Brass Spoon has gained a reputation in Hong Kong for its authentic pho, earning it a nod in the Michelin Bib Guide. Chef-owner Sebastien Vong honed his skills in France, where his family had a Vietnamese restaurant. Since its opening in 2015, Brass Spoon has amassed a loyal following and this new “secret” opening is not so secret anymore if you’ve tasted their hearty bowl of pho before.
“The new and improved Brass Spoon is back in Central, now called IYKYK. This one is super sleek and modern inside but don’t let that fool you. They make a banger Beef Pho using the recipe from the chef’s grandmother in France.”
- Address Shop A, G/F, 50 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
- Website Visit here
- Phone +852 2357 9096
- Price range HKD 100-200
- Opening hours Monday to Wednesday from 12 pm to 8 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm to 9 pm
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The most popular pho dishes in Hong Kong are beef pho or chicken pho. Regional varieties such as Bun Bo Hue are also gaining popularity.
You can find authentic pho in Hong Kong in restaurants such as Mamtom, An Choi, and Cô Thành.
Chef John Nguyen is known for his modern take on traditional Vietnamese dishes. That said, he still uses traditional ingredients and makes sure to keep the traditional flavours of the cuisine even in his innovative approach.
Pho is popular in Hong Kong as it is a comforting dish that is also affordable. It is also easily found in most Vietnamese restaurants.
Written By
Jianne Soriano
An introvert at heart, Jianne expresses herself best through her writing. Her passion lies in covering ..Read More
