Vietnamese food can really be special, they have a wide variety of amazing dishes with their own unique flavours. Having visited Vietnam in my mid-twenties some of the culinary delights I experienced in that wonderful country (especially in Hoi An) still have me yearning to go back and indulge in some of those dishes once again.
Today though we are going to focus on my favourite Vietnamese dish, and yes I know it may be a little cliche but for me, Pho is where it’s at. Pho, an iconic dish closely associated with Vietnamese culture, emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in northern Vietnam under French colonial rule. While its precise origins remain ambiguous, historians widely speculate that pho may have evolved from the French pot-au-feu, a hearty beef and vegetable stew, owing to the phonetic similarity between “phở” and “pot-au-feu”.
Beyond its culinary significance, pho serves as a cultural mirror reflecting Vietnam’s rich heritage and way of life. Its history parallels the country’s own narrative of transformation over the past century, symbolizing more than just a meal but a narrative intertwined with Vietnam’s evolution. Now that the history lesson is over, we have put together a list of the best spots to taste this tantalising dish in London for you to indulge in. Get your chopsticks ready for this one.
Pho – Various London Locations
Let’s start with the most aptly named and most achievable spot, shall we? Pho is a nationwide chain, and I Know some of you will be screaming at this as a lot of you prefer more boutique stores, but we have to give this place its flowers.
Stephen and Juliette Wall founded Pho after discovering a deep appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine during their travels in Vietnam. Their journey began in 2005 when they sat on high stools in Ho Chi Minh City, savouring pho bo and deciding to open a restaurant dedicated to serving this beloved dish. Today, Pho has grown into a network of restaurants across the country, renowned for offering affordable, nutritious Vietnamese cuisine prepared fresh daily in each kitchen.
There are many locations to visit in the nation’s capital and all the steps you would expect from a Pho restaurant are all here. I tend to add a bit of spice to mine, but whatever you fancy they will be able to bang it out for you quickly and you will be satisfied with the results.
Hai Cafe – 120b Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0QR, United Kingdom
Next, we are going to take you to Clapton to the acclaimed Hai Cafe, This spot specialises in a lot of dishes from Banh Mi to a variety of special dishes and curries. In 2018, Mama Hai fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening a cafe where she could showcase her distinctive take on Vietnamese cuisine, shaped by her experience of living in London for over two decades. When the opportunity arose to lease a small bagel shop in Clapton, it was an offer they couldn’t resist.
Lucky for us Londoners (and visitors to the capital) Hai’s speciality is a bowl of hot, aromatic pho broth. Their special slow-cooked, umami-packed vegan root vegetable broth is served with thick rice noodles, chillies, fresh Vietnamese seasonal herbs, and your choice of protein. The options include tofu veg pho, featuring braised tofu, oyster mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables; prawn pho with king prawns; chicken pho with free-range poached chicken and optional Vietnamese cold cuts; and beef pho with either braised beef shin slices or lemongrass ginger-infused ribeye beef (depending on availability) and optional Vietnamese cold cuts. A large bowl version is available for eat-in only.
Sen Viet – 119 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9NH, United Kingdom
Sen Viet restaurant, located in the bustling Kings Cross is renowned for serving some of the best Vietnamese cuisine in central London. The menu features a variety of exotic and flavorful dishes, from summer rolls and traditional baguettes. Their cooking combines rice with meat, chicken, or fish, complemented by an abundance of vegetables, onions, garlic, nuts, herbs, and other secret Vietnamese ingredients. Though the restaurant is small and cosy inside, the space is well-organized and decorated with charming Vietnamese touches. The atmosphere is welcoming and warm, with friendly staff who are always happy to assist.
As for the Pho, it’s unbelievable, some of the freshest ingredients you will find in any of the places that we mention today (as well as other restaurants in London we have mentioned in other articles). The seafood Pho is the go-to here, I’m also a fan of the beef but nine times out of ten I will get the seafood as it’s loaded with prawns, squid and scallops. Simply a must-visit if you are a fan of Asian food as a whole.
Bánh Bánh – 46 Peckham Rye, London SE15 4JR, United Kingdom
Now I know what you’re thinking, The name is Banh Banh so this place must have amazing Banh Mi right? Well yes, you would be correct and I would one hundred percent advise you to chow down on this spot Banh Mi but at the same time the Pho can not and must not be overlooked!
Bánh Bánh is a tribute to the founder’s grandmother, who was a chef in Vietnam during the 1940s and greatly influenced their culinary style. The food served at Bánh Bánh mirrors the dishes she prepared for them as they grew up in Peckham. The five siblings behind Bánh Bánh share a passion for the fresh, light, yet rich flavours of Vietnamese cuisine, using food as a way to connect to the motherland they had only heard about. In the Nguyen household, delicious bowls of steaming pho, zesty salads, and creamy curries were daily staples.
Bánh Bánh began as a pop-up at Rye Wax (Bussey Building) and evolved into their first brick-and-mortar location in Peckham in 2016. The place managed to endure the pandemic due to its loyal following, and it now has three locations in London. Unsurprisingly the Pho here is banging. They only do two options which are chicken or beef, but this isn’t a bad thing, sometimes keeping things simple is the key to success.
Huong Viet – 94 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AA, United Kingdom
At Huong Viet, the restaurant not only prides itself on being the most authentic Vietnamese eatery in the area but also dares you to find better even on the streets of Vietnam. Their cuisine emphasizes the harmony of ingredients to deliver refreshing flavours, preserving natural tastes while benefiting your inner well-being.
Huong Viet has received accolades for its exceptional dining experience, including a recommendation from Restaurant Guru in 2023. The restaurant offers the perfect space for special occasions, but I have to say guests should make a reservation, as the place is well known and it does get packed out. If you don’t book there is a high chance you will be disappointed.
The head chef here is also a big deal/ Boasting 20 years of experience, Executive Chef Do Minh brings a wealth of knowledge, blending global tastes and spices with traditional Vietnamese street food. Born and raised in Vietnam, Do Minh has always been surrounded by food and his home is in the kitchen cooking up masterful dishes using fresh ingredients.
Trained and educated by the Asian Association in Europe, Do Minh honed his culinary skills as the top chef at Panda Prague. He played a pivotal role in incorporating “Pho” into Slovakia, earning a Forbes nomination in 2019. The chef here has literally won awards for how good his Pho is, if that’s not enough to get you to come and try this spot then I have a feeling you may just not like Pho, and if that’s the case and you made it to the end of the article a massive thanks for persevering anyway. For those who do love Pho, I hope you have all the info you need now to get your fix in London.