Pho, a well-known delicacy that is considered to be the national spirit of Vietnamese cuisine has had numerous variations in both domestic and international markets after more than 100 years of being sourced from Ha Noi, Nam Dinh. In the coastal city of Da Nan, which is dubbed as an attractive venue for the convergence of many dishes of the three regions of Viet Nam, Pho also brings with it loads of attractive and delicious variations.

The heirloom Northern Pho has been added with bean sprouts to meet the requirements of Da Nang diners. Photo: A.Q

Keep heirloom Pho brands alive

It is not difficult to find a Pho restaurant in-heart of Da Nang, where North - Central - South culinary culture intersects. Although people have still questioned the time when Pho "settled down” in Da Nang due to the fragmentary records, Pho in the largest city of the Central region has had interesting variations for decades of being here.

Defaulted to be "heirloom Pho", many Pho restaurants in Da Nang are associated with Nam Dinh Pho brands such as Pho Cu, Pho Co; with Ha Noi such as Ph Hoan Kiem, Pho Ly Quoc Su; or Pho restaurant with their own brand but associated with the name of "Northern Pho" such as 63 Dong Da, Bac Hai... or "Ha Noi Pho" such as Nghia Beo, Phu Gia.

As shared by Mr Nguyen Quynh, a native of Ha Noi now living in Da Nang, Northern Pho restaurants in Da Nang are so named to ensure heirloom, a "guarantee" of quality and reputation of Pho in northern regions.

Thin Lo Duc Pho restaurant located at G15, Pham Van Dong street, Son Tra District was opened in Da Nang in June 2020 by Ms Dinh Thi Phuong Thao with the top criterion being original and quintessential for diners to enjoy this special heirloom Pho.

The typical characteristic of Thin Pho is the vicious broth and the Pho with medium stir-fried beef, along with ginger, garlic, and spring onions, which not only ensures the harmony of taste and colour but is also good for digestion.

Furthermore, not only do the accompanying spices such as pickled garlic, spicy green chilli peppers, chilli sauce brewed in crockpots according to the traditional recipe help to keep the basic taste of Pho broth, but they also deepen Thin Lo Duc Pho taste.

Mr Nguyen Trong Thin, the owner of Thin Lo Duc Pho restaurant, prepares Pho for his customers. Photo: L.H.S

Creating more trendy variations

Owning to the fact that space and time themselves are not fixed and unchanging, it is obvious that Northern Pho has also had variations not only in its "birthplace" but also in Da Nang to meet the diverse demands of diners. 

If the original Northern Pho usually uses sliced spicy green chilli, pickled garlic, handmade red soy sauce and Southern Pho uses herbs, bean sprouts, red and black sauce,  Da Nang Pho use the mixture of these spices to please diners coming from three regions of Viet Nam as well as international tourists.

Not only the seasoning but also the broth in restaurants are completely different. Pho at restaurants following the Northern taste has a sweet taste, the clear water with strong beef flavour and no fatty broth. On the other hand,  Pho at restaurants following the Southern taste has a darker colour with bold flavours of anise, cinnamon.

Lately, famous Pho restaurants brands such as Pho 29, Pho 24, Pho Viet, Pho Thin choose Da Nang as one of their destinations with the desire to spread their brand to draw the attractive coastal city’s citizens as well as tourists’ attention. However, some fake Pho restaurants brands make diners often confused and can not be able to enjoy authentic Pho since the copyright registration problem has not been focused on.

According to Mr Nguyen Trong Thin, owner of Thin Lo Duc Pho in Ha Noi,  Thin Lo Duc Pho in Da Nang or Japan, Korea, Australia has remained the same, unchanged its taste. However, it is also necessary to regulate the ingredients depending on the many factors of each locality.

For instance, water in Da Nang contains a high concentration of chlorine so it must be kept for a while to neutralize and lower the chlorine concentration to ensure that it does not affect the original taste of Pho broth.

All in all, although there are a host of variations to adapt to regional characteristics, Pho always retains the basic features, thereby contributing to a unique culinary in Da Nang. Recently, Pho was listed by CNN Travel in the list of 20 most delicious soups in the world.

The variety of Pho also opens up more opportunities for people from all walks of life to enjoy traditional Vietnamese food, a dish that has become the "national spirit of the cuisine", which has been recognized on the international culinary map.

Reporting by ANH QUAN- Translating by T.VY