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Writer's pictureHochiminh Gourmet

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI Review(2024.11)


#1. District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI Review

PHO LAI, a rice noodle restaurant, is located in a corner of an alley near Pham Viet Chanh Street in District Binh Thanh, which is called Little Tokyo in Ho Chi Minh City. A small restaurant in downtown Ho Chi Minh City that serves authentic pho at a reasonable price, especially popular with locals rather than foreigners.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI

I visited alone for lunch on Sunday and was shown to an empty seat at a table where people I didn't know were eating. Most of the customers that day were locals, and sometimes Japanese and Koreans who live nearby visit.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Restaurant Atmosphere

On the table, just like other rice noodle restaurants, there were limes, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, pepper slices, nuoc mam, chopped chilies, cutlery container, toothpicks, and tissues. When you order rice noodles, they bring out a basket filled with Thai basil, culantro, and other herbs.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Various Herbs and Sauces

Tra Da(Iced Tea) is sold at a cheap price of 2,000VND and comes in a disposable plastic cup filled with ice. Since the weather is hot, it would be a good idea to order something cool like iced tea or cola to eat with hot rice noodles.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Tra Da(Iced Tea)

For lunch, I ordered the restaurant's most expensive dish, Pho Dac Biet(Special Rice Noodle). The large bowl was overflowing with various toppings such as medium-rare beef, brisket, flank, shank, meatballs, and tendon. The broth was Ho Chi Minh style, with a savory and slightly sweet flavor, but it was not greasy, ​​which was good.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Pho Dac Biet(Special Rice Noodle)

It was delicious even on its own, but it was even more delicious when I added various spices, herbs, chopped peppers, pepper slices, lime juice, and black pepper to my taste to add a variety of flavors, textures, and spiciness.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Pho Dac Biet(Special Rice Noodle)

PHO LAI is a great place to enjoy authentic Ho Chi Minh-style pho at an affordable price in downtown Ho Chi Minh. It is definitely worth a visit if you live nearby.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Rice Noodle & Iced Tea



#2. Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI Menu

PHO LAI is an attractive restaurant where you can enjoy hearty and delicious Ho Chi Minh-style rice noodles at a price that is hard to believe is cheap for a place in downtown Ho Chi Minh. The price varies depending on the number of toppings you add to your rice noodles. If you choose only one topping, it is quite cheap at 45,000VND, and if you choose all the toppings(Dac Biet), it is still cheap at 65,000VND. I strongly recommend ordering the Dac Biet(special) and having a hearty meal.

District Binh Thanh, Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI, Menu(1)

I visited alone for lunch on Sunday and ordered as follows:

  1. Pho Dac Biet: 65,000VND

  2. Tra Da: 2,000VND


I was able to have a satisfying meal for a very reasonable price of 67,000VND. It is quite cheap for a rice noodle restaurant located in downtown Ho Chi Minh, but the portion was big and the taste was good. PHO LAI may not be one of the best rice noodle restaurants in downtown Ho Chi Minh, but it is definitely worth the price, so if you live nearby or have a chance to visit, it is definitely a restaurant worth visiting.




#3. Rice Noodle Restaurant PHO LAI Hours and Location

PHO LAI, a rice noodle restaurant, is located in a corner of an alley near Pham Viet Chanh Street in District Binh Thanh, which is called Little Tokyo in Ho Chi Minh City. For more detailed location, click the Check Location button below to check it on Google Maps.






Address: 48/2/4 Mê Linh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh

Website: ...

Phone: 0933580232

Hours: 06:30 ~ 19:30

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