For the past 24 years, Pho Hanh at 65A Lan Ong Street, Hoan Kiem District, has become a late-night dining spot for those lucky enough to be in the know.
The eatery, with both indoor and sidewalk seating, offers a modest 15 square meters of space accommodating around 12 guests with 4 sets of tables and chairs.
What sets it apart is the unique twist it brings to traditional pho – the mixed chicken noodle. This dish combines pho noodles with chicken, complemented by ingredients like scallion oil, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, soy sauce, and herbs. It's a departure from the regular bowl of chicken pho with broth, rice noodles, and chicken.
Truong Thi Hanh, the 52-year-old owner, said she was inspired by a mixed version of pho called sour pho during a visit to the mountainous border province of Lang Son in the far north, and developed her own recipe.
Her creation has become beloved by diners, both regulars and passersby, and she proudly considers herself one of the first to introduce mixed chicken pho to Hanoi.
The broth, simmered for 2-3 hours, derives its richness from chicken bones seasoned with salt, fish sauce, ginger, and onions.
For the star of the show, the restaurant carefully selects three-kilogram chickens to ensure tender meat and shiny skin.
Hanh emphasizes the importance of harmony among all ingredients. All the elements of the dish, including the chicken and the sauce, should blend together perfectly.
The preparation involves cooking the chicken until tender, then slicing it into small pieces. The chicken is then separated into various parts, allowing customers to choose and order specific pieces like wings, breasts, or thighs based on their preferences. The rich meat not only has a natural sweetness but is also coated in a flavorful sauce.
Since the indoor dining space is quite small, a majority of customers choose to sit outside, where plastic chairs and tables are arranged, and enjoy the sidewalk ambiance.
Diners, like Bich Hoa, travel over 13 kilometers for this mixed chicken pho. She said: “I've been a customer for over a year. I just ordered two portions of mixed chicken thigh pho along with an order of five wings for a total of VND370,000 ($15). The dish is great, featuring flavorful chicken, complemented by a rich broth, mango, and peanuts.”
The menu offers various options, with a portion of mixed chicken pho costing VND65,000 ($2.68). The restaurant's offerings also include chicken salad at VND80,000, boneless chicken feet for VND60,000 for an order of 5 pieces alongside egg embryos for VND75,000 per serving, and sticky rice with shredded chicken thighs with pate for VND80,000.
