Difference Between Northern and Southern Pho Explained by a Chef

[@ivyobelidhon1972]

Been watching Luke Nguyen before in food network. Im happy to see your videos featuring food in vietnam again.

[@BobSlowly4Me]

I’m currently in the US, was born in southern Vietnam, but prefer northern style pho. Pho Bat Dan in Hanoi is the best! I’m flying back to Saigon tomorrow! In response to Luke’s question about pho in NYC, it sucks! Lol. The best Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam is in San Jose, CA.

[@hh8891]

Anh này mới là người biết thưởng thức này. Chỉ có 49 BĐ mới là ngon nhất 🎉

[@gettyyoung46]

Where are your pho places in SJ?

[@xiube6979]

I conquer on Bat' Dan` Pho being the tasty Pho. Can't rave about Pho in SJ.

[@jakeMontejo3272]

Bold statement…have you tried all the Vietnamese spots in NYC? What about Houston & the gulf regions?

[@hh8891]

@@jakeMontejo3272 bullshit you eat. Pls dont say this bullshit is Pho. Pho is only stay in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam

[@tommymai3062]

I’m northern Vietnamese born in America, your channel is amazing for Vietnamese culture.

[@slow612bro5]

Hey Luke, so glad you got a youtube channel now. Yes!

[@fakecumberland]

My family is from Hanoi. My grandfather preferred the simple version of pho. I like it the way he did.

[@healer81]

Southern Pho is the way to go. I prefer spices and complexity along with more greens for contrast and texture.

[@TheAdiFans]

It's actually harder to achieve SIMPLICITY by the way ;) complexity is not just putting everything in and call it a day.

[@healer81]

@@TheAdiFans any type of pho is simple. It’s one of easiest and most overrated noodle dish in Vietnamese cuisine even though I love it, north or south.

[@TheAdiFans]

@@healer81 you’re giving idiot sandwich vibe

[@healer81]

@@TheAdiFans I’m just giving my opinion. I’ve been all over Vietnam and tried almost every dish except for dogs and insects. I’ve also cooked most of the noodle soups. Pho is equivalent to pizza in Italian.

[@notimeclock4001]

I am Cantonese and migrated to the sf bay area in late 90s. First time had pho in sf too and love it since. I usually refused to have the herbs and bean sprouts cuz they reduce the temp of the soup and now I finally realize why. Make sense in Vietnam cuz they reduce the temp when eating a hot bowl of soup in a hot summer vs Americans always want pho when it’s cold. Hopefully one day Luke will make a visit of North America phos, rich immigrant history plus the creative ways immigrants recreate their own version of nostalgia.

[@mitismee]

maybe in California and TExas offer close enough Vietnamese pho other than those 2 place in north america then it's basically just quite different not the same taste like you would have in Vietnam, eating a southern pho in Saigon is still 1 of the best thing, the flavour remain in your brain like forever.

[@notimeclock4001]

@@mitismee I quite agree with diff climate makes food tasting differently. Think Taiwanese shaving ice. Having it in TW and here in NA is VERY diff. My last visit to Vietnamese we didn't have time for Saigon and I would love to try pho there. So far the most I've seen some trustworthy Chinese and HongKongnese bloggers' been praising Pho Le a lot! Do you have a favor one that I should be visiting? As Cantonese, I just can't say enough good things about Vietnamese food, clean, healthy yet elegant. Comparing to Cantonese food, which sometimes can be very mean (here I mean ppl are constantly looking for diff/newer way to cook or better ingredients, such as chicken, can be quite losing the point), Vietnamese food is simple and lightweight.

[@mitismee]

ohh the famous Phở Lệ in district 5 , they do have that good reputation huh no wonder why everytime i come back to Vietnam my friend always take me to that place, and yes i still remember the flavor of that place really well in my head , the family that own it are Chinese descendant btw but of course they make good southern style Pho and the price is just right as well , i usually order Beef noodle with extra bowl of beef ball and poach egg and also Corn MILK ... you'll get full meal out of that for sure .@@notimeclock4001

[@DuyDatic]

It makes more sense now since Northern Vietnam has similar sub-tropical climate to the Canton regions and therefore closer taste palette. Northern Vietnamese also refuse to have herbs and bean for their Pho because they made the broth cool down too fast especially in the winter.

[@preston74]

I'm very fortunate to be living in Westminster, CA "Little Saigon". We have so many great options to choose from. Who else here lives in The OC?

[@NinoNlkkl]

I don't mind going there, but aren't Mexicans raging war against Vietnamese?

[@twinentryturbo]

@@NinoNlkkl LMAO 🤣Heo no, Mexicans here are cool. Where did you get that news from?

[@bachha627]

try Pho Thin on Bolsa and Pho Flavor on Brookhurst for some good northern style pho

[@kizzenger]

@@bachha627 PVK2 late night after drinking just hits different lol

[@MrTraveller.]

I recognize you chef. Good to find your video years later. Thanks from Taiwan 🇹🇼

[@azndragon75]

The flavor of Pho broth varies between the northern and southern regions, and it also depends on the specific restaurant you visit. In the north, the approach to spices is more conservative, resulting in a broth that is clear and subtly flavored, with just the right amount of beef fat floating on the surface. On the other hand, southern-style Pho often incorporates a generous amount of sugar in the broth. At the table, you’ll typically find a bottle of black bean paste sauce and red chili pepper sauce, along with a plate of bean sprouts, Thai Basil, and Eryngium foetidum, also known as “Culantro”. If you’re seeking a traditional Pho establishment that has preserved its practices since before 1975, “Phở Dậu” at 288 M1, Đ. Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Ward 8, Quận 3 is the place to visit. This restaurant, which brought the Pho Bac style to Saigon in 1958, is considered one of the most authentic Pho places in Saigon today. "Price little pricey" but it is guaranteed no other unhealthy ingredients.

[@VANHAY-oh6ue]

FYI, Phở Dậu is Nam Định style. Therefore, it is considered one of the most authentic Pho. Its taste is similar with Phở in Nam Định in 189x, around 130 years ago.

[@KimJayViet]

I've seen all your episodes on Vietnam and so glad you're back making more videos. I'd love for you to try regional cha gio. My mom's from the north so she uses only rice paper wrapping, pork mince, wood ear mushroom and mung bean vermicelli. I know that the south uses egg roll wrappers. I prefer the northern style because it's more crispy. Also, I tend to like my nuoc cham more sour than the way they do it in the south. I also prefer mien ga to pho ga. It's just the texture of the noodles that I like.

[@lauraliu3702]

I remember seeing this guy a long time ago always loved his cooking shows!

[@dovuminh9724]

Phở tái lăn và phở chiên phồng tôi đã ăn cách đây gần 30 năm ở ngoài Bắc VN rồi . 2 món đó còn có từ rất lâu trước khi tôi biết đến nó

[@VANHAY-oh6ue]

Đúng r bạn. Phở tái lăn là 1 đặc trưng phở Nam Định, trước khi chỉ có người Nam Định bán phở tái lăn, đến năm 1979 ông Thìn ở Lò Đúc HN học được mở ra quán phở Thìn nổi tiếng, từ đó nhiều người học theo làm phở tái lăn. Còn phở chiên phồng do các quán ở khu vực Ngũ Xã- hồ Trúc Bạch Hà Nội nghĩ ra bạn ah.

[@ibuyufo]

Southern Vietnamese Pho for me all day long!

[@Limewire1984]

I'm a Southerner and I drown my Pho in bean sprouts. As soon as I heard "no bean sprout," I knew the Northern style is not for me.

[@ibuyufo]

@@Limewire1984 I don't know but I just like to eat my pho without bean sprouts. Call me weird but I don't like the crunchy texture or the taste of bean sprouts. The only thing I add are the basil leaves, jalapeno peppers, lime, and sriracha.

[@Limewire1984]

To each his own. @@ibuyufo

[@nvanhuu]

The way he presents it is energetic.

[@tranhieust]

love these videos, bring vietnam dishes to the world with proffessional views and comments, other countries can understand when we use international language.

[@mr.cookie7308]

I love Vietnamese Pho, but I also love just as much or maybe even more Thai boat noodles, Lao style pho, and Lao cao pia noodles.

[@crystalwynn3910]

What a pro! Love watching you Luke. When I visit Saigon, I love Pho Cao Van. Northern style amazing bowl. Can you feature my favorite noodle, bun dishes?

[@quethihoang7]

Even though he didn’t say a word which pho is better, but I can see he was more exciting and happily when he ate southern pho.

[@gettyyoung46]

Taste varies according to each individual palate, and may change over time. So if he does think the South is better doesn't mean the North is not good.

[@MichaelLee-pp8uw]

It would be biased and hurt a viewer if he didn’t like it

[@Rmiento2410]

Finally I found you here with your own channel. You're my favourite chef in food network 😋 😍 🇬🇧😋

[@tnductai]

glad to see you open your own chanel! subscribed immediately. we love Luke!

[@georgerodriguez1996]

His New Yorker friend looks equally tasty

[@viewer1338]

im from hanoi and have never tried the southern style bcus they dont really sell it here and when i show my curiosity to my hanoian friends or family they always say why bother trying it itss so sweet :)))) but im not like that there must be a reason why ppl love it and i want to try it some day and see the difference

[@PassportCalifornia]

Can’t wait to visit southern Vietnam !

[@yamahamoto]

Phở Bắc is all about the broth and when you eat it you don’t add crap load of condiments to ruin it.

[@damiann4734]

Yeah like chinese noodles lol

[@DxModel219]

they use alot of herbs. I love both.

[@paradiselucky5686]

herbs are crap load of condiments ?

[@Empire482]

I tried the north Pho but I would prefer my favorite South Pho.

[@billylee7398]

It is mode thing for me. One day I want lighter favorite if I am feeling sick or down. Another day I want bold favorite if I'm hung over or just dying for spices.

[@pallaszina]

Thank you. You explained the differences very well. I have only had the southern pho.

[@hyhien]

Before 1975, I didn't remember we ate Quẩy with Pho on the South. Look like it comes from the North. I have been living in San Jose for almost 40 years and it has several good Pho here. Come over to explore it.

[@Setsunascarletstorm24]

Yep. Northern phở may also have a slightly poached egg as side.

[@cammci007]

Awesome to see you have a YT Channel. cant wait to come to Saigon and check all these places out! can you do a video on best places to eat in saigon?

[@Wen-hp6ui]

Travelling to Hanoi and HCMC in April. Great tips and places to eats featuring in your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@barryberkman1070]

Inspiring people, that is what Luke does

[@PradeepRaajkumar1981]

I got to share your video to VIETNAMESE Indian Couple in SOUTH India- #Coimbatore #tamilnadu I am an Aussie Tamil South Indian from Tamilnadu lived in Melbourne from 2007 to 2019 Loved your Racepaper rolls, and CHICKEN with RICE NOODLES PHO in Melbourne- PRESTON , Boxhill and SPRINGVALE suburbs

[@mr2011vincent1]

Luke, how amazing you can speak Vietnamese

[@EtienneGo64]

I am crazy about noodle soup! I would love to go on a food trip in Vietnam.

[@damiann4734]

So glad you are doing youtube!

[@johnkramer5010]

Lovely video. Luke Nguyen is probably Anthony Bourdain of Vietnam. I'm half Saigonese and Hanoian so both Pho are great. Northern Pho is amazing and addictive which requires nothing more to be great. Southern Pho is a little bit stronger, saltier and sweeter so adding herbs and vegs into it balance it out perfectly. The thing that really concerns me about the topic isn't about how Luke did it. It is about ignorances, uneducated people in the South attacking the North everytime the topic comes up because of long time hatred and jealousy. These people deserve condemnation for causing great ethnic division and tarnishing the image of kind Southern people.

[@GTK-i1p]

I’ve watched Luke on the travel channel. Why only 628 subscribers? Is this really his channel? I was in Vietnam in October. Returning March 1st. I will visit this restaurant.

[@kanaihufuemana9489]

Great to see you back 😀

[@atonementpreset]

Southern pho is known around the world. When foreigners try pho or talk of pho, they are referring to the southern style. It's flavor is well loved by many.

[@QuangTruongHuyNguyen]

It is well-known kinda like how people around the world eat whipping cream carbonara and how Italian eat carbonara. It doesn’t mean that Southern pho is better at all since taste is subjective. I have my own taste preference so i’m not gonna say what is better but what I’m gonna say is Northern pho usually has way more beef in a bowl. I like a beefier bowl.

[@gettyyoung46]

Southern pho is more well known because most Vietnamese overseas are from the South. Czech is one place where Northern pho is more well known because majority of Vietnamese there are from the north.

[@KJ-yises]

I think I would prefer the northern style pho as well, if I had access to it

[@damiann4734]

Even though northern Pho is the origin, I still like the South variation because it makes it a bit more unique. If you think about it, northern style is very similar to other Chinese noodles. There's nothing in there that says it Vietnamese except for the name. The broth cooking style with those aromatic, that's common in Chinese noodles, eating with the "kuay" it's also Chinese. The thin noodles, it's also Chinese. The South adds the variation of thick fat noodles, add herbs like Thai basil and saw tooth coriander. Don't see that common in Chinese cooking right?

[@TrazoeL]

@@damiann4734 you're wrong. Chinese use kuay teow but VN use bánh phở. Both have their different shapes, tastes and ways to use. North phở noodles are thick and flat, since South is smaller. North and South phở have their unique tastes but why South phở uses with hoisin sauce which from Chinese 🤷‍♂️ Don't compare Vietnamese food with Chinese. Even it's from different locations but it's still phở dude 😌

[@HuyNguyen-vj1uw]

I never had Northern Pho, have only had the Southern kind!! Would love to try it sometime

[@markn6941]

It's very bland and basic...

[@TrazoeL]

@HuyNguyen-vj1uw You must try it bc phở originates from the North . It's really different from southern phở, not sweet but not bland at all

[@markn6941]

@@TrazoeL Pho did not originates from the North. Pho was created by a Vietnamese chef working for the French army in Saigon, base of the French soup "Pot au Feu". Back then Northerner never eat beef because they viewed the Ox as a assets for working in the rice the fields.

[@minhnguyenquang7220]

​@@markn6941 Me when I spread misinformation

[@markn6941]

@@minhnguyenquang7220 Me when I don't have a clue.

[@stewartl5109]

Hey Luke you might like to check the video as it stops from 16.23 to 16.56. Then starts again until the end… I’m so glad you get to come back to your birth country to appreciate Vietnamese food culture and authentic taste’s..Many Vietnamese enclaves in Australia and the USA I visited try to replicate but they cannot in my opinion only!! I’m blessed to live here in Vietnam where this food culture across the whole country is one of the best cuisines on the planet.. My opinion though.. However the late Anthony Bourdain said something similar god bless him🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’m sure that it’s got something to do share volume of people that these street vendors or restaurants have such amazing dishes because they specialise in a particular dish for example Pho Bo, Pho Ga, Bun Cha, Banh Mi etc etc 😉 Western restaurant owners trying to perfect the Vietnamese foods just really don’t get it I feel!! Xin loi 😊😉🙏🏻

[@1991diary]

Phở Bắc is so refined and it's the way to go any day especially when you get sick or feel a lil cold. The most difference is that Hanoian people eat original Phở when it's hot (not boiling stock), add some garlic vinegar, some slices of chilli, no lime wedges and no vegetables, no hoisin sauce, *no chilli sauce & no bánh quẩy sometimes yes it depends* on the mood.

[@xiube6979]

The women had good rolling nights - wore shades even when eating. LOL I wear my sunglasses at night.. I wear my sunglasses eating Pho...

[@JLT2342]

I wear my sunglass when having sex ...haaaa....haaaa

[@Vivechyanityam01]

We missed you since TLC.

[@brucewayne2773]

I hope you and Calvin Bui get together for some shared meals together 🙏

[@kennyliaw7315]

It would be a lot more interesting if you show in the video inside the actual bowls of pho and then carefully describing the ingredients. We see almost continuous footage and conversations of the you and the guests talking then a few seconds of the dish but minimla close-ups. Pictures are worth a thousand words!

[@antiiemo]

The girls really captured the next day hangover pho run

[@yup8236]

lmao it didn't even hit me till you said it

[@hellotimchow]

Luke on yt finally!

[@NhungTran-iv2sx]

Hi Luke, congratulations to your youtube channel. From Adelaide (SA). Have subscribed.👍

[@Healthnut27]

I live in the Bay Area and discovered pho. The problem with comparing pho restaurants amongst one another here is that everyone prepares it differently. I will say after watching this video and doing my research on southern and northern pho, I strongly prefer southern pho style. 😲

[@KP-xi4bj]

Try bún chả Hanoi next!

[@Glowingportal]

Making me miss my amazing experience of Hanoi 😊

[@vantien1851]

the only thing i would like to add is the Northern style also acts like a remedy , medicine food , its' light use of spices and harmonius flavor makes it easier to stomach in the morning or during winter seasons , after having finished a bowl , you'd feel very refreshed , detoxed , that's my indicator for a good bowl , no sweet or smg aftertaste

[@melllll2507]

Northern pho is like a bike versus a motorbike to the Southern one.

[@edvoon]

Putting the breadstick in the broth makes it like a Vietnamese Tim-Tam Slam😂

[@patricknguyen2680]

Good ta see ya back in vn Luke

[@joesoo]

great video, love pho so much. Could you list down the names of the restaurant here?

[@lucy.loves.travel]

Far out, I'm hungry now!😂

[@evakwan2965]

Really appreciated if You can do a video about the famous 7 courses beef in Vietnam. Thanks. 🙏🇨🇦

[@brucelee5576]

My mom gonna kill me for this. Ha Noi Pho = Ford Escort Saigon Pho = F1

[@QuangTruongHuyNguyen]

Yeah that's might be true. That's why there aren't any Saigonese that want to own an F1 and there aren't any F1 in Saigon neither.

[@quangoliver3842]

North or South, we are all one people-Vietnamese. Both styles pho are delicious. I can eat both everyday. Can we just promote our people and our cultures, and lose the anger.

[@SimpleeeNguyen454]

Southern style pho is too sweet for me. Northern pho is more on the savoury side with flavours that focus more on the natural rich flavours coming from the beef bones. I hope more people give Northern pho a try 🙏🏽

[@vanle2979]

Bạn rất hiểu về văn hóa ẩm thực Việt Nam.

[@oddskies]

Northern pho guy here!

[@james12361224]

Is it ok to dip your noodles into the hoisin or chili sauce or it is generally only the beef that gets dipped?

[@hoaNguyen-po4of]

Hoisin and chili sauce in the soup would destroy the beef flavor of the broth and the noodles. To answer your question, the hoisin sauce and chili sauce are best served on the side, you only dip the beef in there

[@hphan8022]

Can you do an episode on desert chè? There’s an abundance of chè in southern cuisine with frequent use of added coconut cream. Many of us have not been exposed to northern desert chè.

[@gettyyoung46]

Don't think the north has dessert che. The region can't grow quality coconut. Notice that the north doesn't have many snacks with coconut in it. In early 2000s, if you ordered che in Hanoi you would get tea. Che means tea in the north.

[@TrazoeL]

@@gettyyoung46 ????? the north has too many kinds of chè dude. You think the north only has Hanoi🤨How the hell can you get a bowl of chè when you sit in the ice tea shop. Are you stupid 🤨Also, in the north they will say "trà đá" or "nước chè/trà". Dude you live in the past, you have internet right? Use gg. Thanks

[@TrazoeL]

@@gettyyoung46 ??? The north has too many kinds of dessert chè. Dude you think the north only has Hanoi 🤨How the hell can you get a bowl of chè if you sit in a ice tea shop? Are you stupid? Also in the north, they will say "trà đá, cốc nước chè/trà". Dude are you live in the past 🤨 You have money and internet right? Just go around and use gg/ Thanks

[@gettyyoung46]

​@@TrazoeLAre you Vietnamese? You speak as though your mother never taught you anything on civility.

[@Windtalkerzz]

@@gettyyoung46​​⁠​⁠​⁠ You must have never tried dessert chè in Hanoi, so you said nonsense. There is a wide variety of Northern traditional dessert chè, including perfect dessert chè for hot summer weather and for cold winter days. Northern dessert chè rarely use condensed coconut cream. They are light, delicate and elegant. In the North, the word “Chè” is used for both tea and sweet desserts. To discern the two meanings of “chè”, we say: “uống chè” means “drink tea” and “ăn chè” means “eat sweet dessert”.

[@tbdao]

Amazing Luke 🤩

[@jamesk5010]

Did they eat the 3 Pho meals one after another? The 3rd one look like in afternoon. Quite an appetite there.

[@Vinhthitheu]

I grew up eating both Southern and Northern pho and i like them both. Neither one is more superior nor elegant than the other. It depends on your personal preference. Why cant we just promote our national dish and enjoy each cooking style offers us rather than comparing them?

[@WanganTune3DXPluDeaf]

it's so different but most i ate Saigon Pho most!!

[@lucy.loves.travel]

Can you list the names of the places in the description please? I tried to follow in the transcript but it wasn't accurate.

[@lukenguyencooks]

Done!

[@yeneriksen863]

He stole her beef tendon, so sneaky! What a move!

[@xiongxtreme2382]

Bro just stole Nikki’s tendon. Nikki- “I like tendon too”

[@jackma4954]

SOUTHERN PHO !!!!! PERIOD!!❤❤

[@supertony4708]

It's still very weird to see three Vietnamese people in Vietnam speaking English with a mixed Australian and American accent to each other! 😅

[@liemvlngoliemvingo1553]

Anh Luke oi, may I ask is Ms. Niki from Guam?

[@silasketgaskets8709]

i noticed in da nang it is hard to find pho where there is hoisin sauce on the table. i buy it at supermarket and take to restaurant. funny cause some staff seem like they were unfamiliar with it and even sked to taste it. saigon hoisin is everywhere as well as phu quoc

[@Setsunascarletstorm24]

Hoisin sauce is like… a short of fusion with Chinese cuisine, since Hoisin is used a lot in Chinese dishes.

[@silasketgaskets8709]

@@Setsunascarletstorm24 yup, it is sauce for peking duck

[@xianx1866]

Thanks to Chinese immigrants who inspired all these noodle dishes. As well as introducing wok techniques and stirfry dishes.

[@Windtalkerzz]

It is funny how China always claim everything as its own except Covid-19.

[@rupeshthapa7913]

Remind me your old tlc program.

[@amasia48]

8:22 Bro straight up stool her piece of tendon lol

[@minhanpham4903]

Luke khoe khong ❤ 🥰👍

[@ra1phe]

Dribbling like a baby ❤️👌👌👌👌

[@tafmianazam8349]

Thankyou!

[@fcli4349]

What is the name of the second place? The Southern style pho?

[@carlkim7178]

Pho Trinh - I saw the name on the menu behind them

[@mariopizano72]

Need sunglasses to eat Pho lol 😂

[@kingjb99]

Can you post links to these restaurants please?

[@dryagehk]

omfg i wanna eat all of these

[@me82736]

Simplicity is best. Pho broth was created by the French. The north took the broth and created pho. The south took the idea of pho and added all the other stuff. Here in Canada we grew up eating southern style, but doesn't mean its better. To me original is always best.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Damn, I'm gonna go in there this week and ask for what Luke had 😋

[@mre_man]

Pho is so 80’s now it’s all about ramen.

[@bobbiusshadow6985]

Pho is eternal, pho is life and ramen is the same.

[@stevennguyen2070]

Anh ơi, sốt vang có phải là bò kho trong nam không anh?

[@bachha627]

nó thanh hơn chứ ko heavily spiced như bò kho đâu bạn

[@phoreal9273]

yeah the 2 ladies cannot see the difference in the broth with those cool shades lol

[@NGUYENTINH9999]

Nhìn bát phở sốt vang của bạn tôi chảy cả nước miếng! Nếu làm thêm mấy chén cuốc lủi nữa là đời lên tiên đấy bạn à!😅

[@vincentvanderbilt5598]

I had Pho Thin in Bali not sure if its the same owner

[@Matto_Harvo]

Cool

[@SaiGon360TV]

Youre very talented in foods. Top Chef anh Luke Nguyen and anh Allen are so professional. I think you needs to learn how to speak better vietnamese, then a lot the peoples can learn from you

[@TysuChudu]

Hello. Beautiful video. I love it❤

[@gmholland]

Pho Tai Lan, FTW!

[@DiepNguyen-gc4gw]

What the address of phở in southern please

[@minhchelsea]

Sài Gòn ❤❤❤

[@PhúQuốc-2024]

Thanks Luke. Have to be different or it's boring 😂