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Vietnamese Cuisine

Phở Minh

📍 63/6 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Overview

Phở Minh sits in an alley at 63/6 Pasteur, District 1. This Ho Chi Minh City restaurant specializes in beef noodle soup. It has served traditional Northern Vietnamese phở since the 1940s. Two small, simple dining spaces house the operation. They stand nearly opposite each other within the alley. A family runs this establishment. The founder’s third generation currently manages it.

Founder Trần Minh, a Hà Đông native, started the restaurant. He began selling phở from a pushcart around 1945. Later, he established the Pasteur Street location. The restaurant maintains its original dish approach. It has done so for several decades. Phở Minh earns recognition in the Michelin Guide. Its quality and value increased its visibility. This attracts both local and international diners.

The menu focuses on beef phở. It offers various cuts. Diners choose from rare tenderloin or well-done brisket. Other options include flank, gầu (fatty brisket), and gân (tendon). The broth features a clear, delicate flavor. The recipe omits star anise or cinnamon. Many Southern Vietnamese phở variations use these. Instead, the kitchen uses grilled ginger and lemongrass. These create a lighter, distinct aroma. The restaurant also serves freshly baked pâté chaud. This is a savory, meat-filled puff pastry.

The setting is simple and functional. It features basic wooden tables and chairs. The two shopfronts provide limited seating. Phở Minh serves customers only in the morning. It closes when the daily broth supply finishes. The restaurant does not accept reservations. Its location is down a narrow, U-shaped alley. This alley connects to Pasteur Street.

1 insider tip

Tip from Mr.Pin

Mr.Pin · curator · Ho Chi Minh City’s Best Vietnamese Restaurants

If you are interested in sampling traditional Northern Vietnamese phở, Phở Minh, tucked away in a District 1 alley, has been serving its version since the 1940s. Its small, simple dining spaces suggest a focus purely on the beef noodle soup itself. This restaurant caters to those who appreciate a no-frills setting and a historical take on phở.

Questions & Answers

Where is Phở Minh located in Ho Chi Minh City?

Phở Minh is located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, specifically at 63/6 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, within a narrow U-shaped alley accessible from Pasteur Street.

What are the opening hours for Phở Minh?

Phở Minh is open daily from 06:30 to 10:00, serving customers only in the morning until its daily broth supply runs out.

What type of cuisine does Phở Minh serve?

Phở Minh specializes in traditional Northern Vietnamese beef noodle soup, known for its clear, delicate broth and various cuts of beef.

Is Phở Minh recognized by any food guides?

Yes, Phở Minh has earned recognition in the Michelin Guide for its quality and value, attracting both local and international diners.

What makes Phở Minh's broth unique?

Phở Minh's broth is unique for its clear, delicate flavor, which omits star anise or cinnamon, instead using grilled ginger and lemongrass for a distinct aroma.

Does Phở Minh offer anything besides phở?

Yes, in addition to its beef phở, Phở Minh also serves freshly baked pâté chaud, a savory, meat-filled puff pastry.

Can I make a reservation at Phở Minh?

No, Phở Minh does not accept reservations; it operates on a first-come, first-served basis during its morning hours.

What kind of beef cuts are available at Phở Minh?

Phở Minh offers various beef cuts for its phở, including rare tenderloin, well-done brisket, flank, gầu (fatty brisket), and gân (tendon).

What is the history of Phở Minh?

Phở Minh has served traditional Northern Vietnamese phở since the 1940s, with its founder Trần Minh starting from a pushcart around 1945 before establishing the Pasteur Street location, and it is now managed by the third generation of the family.

Is Phở Minh a good place for a quick breakfast?

Yes, Phở Minh is ideal for a quick breakfast, as it opens early at 06:30 and focuses on serving its signature phở and pâté chaud in a simple, functional setting.