Pho Thin Lo Duc and a series of 'exorbitantly expensive' pho restaurants in Hanoi, diners argue

Pho Thin Lo Duc once reached 90,000 VND/bowl

Recently, Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc is facing conflicting information related to franchising, brand ownership,... Before this wave of brand disputes, Pho Thin in Lo Duc also caused a lot of controversy about its flavor and price.

In 2021, the store increased the price several times to 70,000 VND and then 80,000 VND/bowl. In early 2022, Pho Thin Lo Duc reached 90,000 VND/bowl, while the average price of a bowl of beef pho in Hanoi ranges from 35,000 VND - 50,000 VND.

At that time, the restaurant representative said that the increase in pho prices was due to the increase in input material prices, specifically onions. This long-standing pho restaurant uses a special type of onion, not the type commonly sold in the market. Therefore, if the supplier increases the price, the restaurant's pho prices will also increase.

Pho Thin has been open for more than 40 years, selling only one dish: rare beef pho (Photo: Pho Thin Lo Duc)

Shortly after, the price of Pho Thin returned to around 80,000 VND/bowl.

Many regular customers of the restaurant said that it is not strange for them that Pho Thin Lo Duc increases its price over time. Besides those who believe that "it is worth the money", there are also many customers who say that this price is too "illusory" and does not match the actual quality.

Cham Yen Ninh Chicken Pho 70,000 VND to hundreds of thousands VND per bowl

Cham chicken pho is still known as "the most expensive pho restaurant in Hanoi" or "the pho restaurant for the rich". A regular bowl of pho costs 70,000 VND. Customers can order extra thighs, wings, poached eggs... for an average price of 50,000 to 100,000 VND per portion. This means that Cham chicken pho can "reach" 100,000 - 150,000 VND/bowl "full topping".

The restaurant owner revealed that the secret to keeping customers is a bowl of pho made from pure natural ingredients, without using MSG.

The price of Cham chicken pho is always a controversial topic among diners. Many people think that the restaurant's pho is delicious, the chicken is delicious, but it should only be priced at 50,000 - 70,000 VND/bowl.

Photo: Kevin Tran

Despite the controversy, the restaurant is always crowded with customers. It opens from 7am to 12pm every day, but is busiest around 8am to 9am. On some days, the restaurant closes early due to the large number of customers.

Salty Pho Gam Cau 80,000 VND/bowl

Currently, the Gam Cau salty pho restaurant has temporarily closed, causing regret for many regular customers.

The restaurant is located on Gam Cau Street, at the intersection with Hang Giay Street, and has been open since 1981. Ms. Ha - the owner of the restaurant, said that since ancient times, her cooking has been more flavorful than everyone else's. Unexpectedly, when she opened the pho restaurant, her unique "saltiness" won the hearts of diners. In addition, the restaurant scores points for its especially chewy and delicious pho noodles, crispy, sweet, and fresh pork core.

When it was still open, the 40-year-old pho restaurant was famous for its large number of customers, although the prices were not cheap. Here, each bowl of pho costs from 50,000 VND/bowl, of which beef pho costs up to 80,000 VND/bowl. The "salty" pho is "expensive", causing some to praise it and others to criticize it, but every day, Ms. Ha still sells up to 200 bowls.

Mr. Dao's Pho

Pho Ong Dao on Hang Giay Street is a favorite place for many diners. Only open for a few hours from morning to noon, the restaurant regularly sells out 300 - 400 bowls.

Pho Ong Dao has been passed down to the fourth generation. About 70 years ago, Mr. Dao sold pho on a street stall, wandering around the big and small alleys of the old town. Only later did he open a small restaurant, named "Pho Ong Dao".

Ong Dao Pho restaurant only sells beef pho such as rare beef, rare beef brisket, turtle core... Prices range from 35,000 - 80,000 VND/bowl. For gourmets who want to add beef brisket, turtle core... the restaurant owner also accommodates them. A bowl of pho can then cost up to 100,000 VND/bowl.

Synthetic

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