Phở Lệ Restaurant

Phở Lệ Restaurant is a long-standing Vietnamese noodle soup shop on Nguyễn Trãi Street in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant specializes in southern-style beef phở. It first opened in 1970 as a small, family-run business. The establishment has since become a well-known name in the city’s culinary landscape. It operates from a multi-story building in the historic Chinatown area.

The kitchen prepares a clear and naturally sweet broth. Cooks simmer beef bones for many hours with spices like cinnamon and star anise. The menu focuses exclusively on beef phở. It offers various cuts of meat. These include rare beef slices (tái), brisket (nạm), tendon (gân), and beef meatballs (bò viên). A signature bowl is the Phở Thập Cẩm, which combines multiple types of beef. Each bowl comes with a side of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili.

The dining space is functional and often busy. It provides seating across its ground floor and an air-conditioned upper floor. The restaurant maintains a consistent recipe and preparation method. This approach has defined its flavor for decades. The Michelin Guide has recognized Phở Lệ with a Bib Gourmand distinction. This award notes its high-quality food at a reasonable price. The restaurant serves a large volume of local and visiting diners daily.

The establishment is situated in a central part of District 5. It is a prominent food destination within the neighborhood known as Chợ Lớn. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients, with beef sourced from specific suppliers. The rice noodles are custom-made for the shop. Phở Lệ maintains long operating hours, opening early in the morning and closing late at night.