On June 6, Michelin recognized Nguyet's Chicken Pho as one of its 29 Bib Gourmand restaurants in Vietnam that offer high-quality cuisine at affordable prices.
Located at 5B Phu Doan Street in the Old Quarter's Hoan Kiem District, this restaurant is the pride and joy of the beloved owner, the capital’s own Minh Nguyet.
Nguyet's staff starts work at 4 a.m. every day. Effort is the secret, as far as Nguyet is concerned.
"I put lots of effort into the food, as well as meticulously selecting fresh ingredients," says the chicken pho queen. "Free-range chickens are used in my pho for their firmness and fragrant meat. Red skin peanuts are hand-roasted to ensure the flavor."
Initially, Nguyet did not pay much heed to the invitation from Michelin. Busy with her schedule, cooking chicken noodle soup, she could not attend the ceremony. However, the congratulations she received from diners who visited her eatery after the Michelin list made her realize the award's prestige. She later researched the accolade and regretted not being able to attend the event.
A bowl of pho at Nguyet eatery is generously filled with the smooth, chewy texture of blanched rice noodles. The broth is clear, fragrant, and naturally sweet. The chicken is firm and flavorful.
It was Quoc Khang from Ba Dinh District’s third visit to Nguyet’s when he said: “The food is so delicious I want to come back again.”
On average, Nguyet’s eatery sells around 600 bowls of pho daily, but weekends are even busier: some 800 bowls often sell out on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nguyet received mixed feedback initially, with some praising the food and others criticizing it. However, she carefully listened to suggestions and improved her recipe over time. The fact that each year the shop gets fuller and fuller is a testament to her soup’s broadening appeal.
The restaurant sees its highest traffic in the evenings, particularly after 7 p.m., attracting not only locals but also tourists. As indoor seating is not enough, the shop arranges tables and chairs on the sidewalk to accommodate extra diners.
Currently, the restaurant employs 18 staff members, with 4 to 5 serving during the morning hours. However, in the evening, all the staff members come in force to meet demand.
During peak hours, the air around the crowded restaurant is thick with anticipation as it takes 10 to 15 minutes for a table.
Nguyen Ba Son from Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, said he’s been frequenting Nguyet’s for over a decade.
“The bowls of chicken pho are full of meat, which suits me, and it's delicious. But compared to other establishments, the price is a bit high. However, I still ordered two bowls of mixed chicken pho and chicken ovaries for VND160,000 ($6.80)” Son said.
The price of pho at Nguyet Chicken Pho ranges from VND50,000 to VND100,000, depending on the choice of ingredients such as gizzard, chicken thighs, breast, wings, or additional meat. A bowl of gizzards costs between VND40,000 and VND80,000, while a half to a whole chicken range from VND330,000 to VND660,000. The restaurant serves customers from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 p.m. in the evening to 1 a.m.
The staff at Nguyet's Chicken Pho is constantly buzzing around to serve customers.
