Vietnamese cuisine has long conquered the hearts of international friends with its richness and sophistication.
On a journey to explore Vietnamese cuisine, American vlogger Sonny Side - with the YouTube channel Best Ever Food Review Show with over 11 million subscribers - decided to explore the difference between the popular pho for $2 (about 50,000 VND) and the luxurious pho version for $100 (about 2.3 million VND).
Sonny began his journey in the capital city of Hanoi, home to the famous pho specialty. At a traditional pho restaurant that is over 70 years old on Bat Dan Street, Sonny enjoyed a bowl of pho with clear broth, rich beef flavor, and fragrant grilled onions and ginger.
Every bowl of pho is made with care, from the chewy hand-cut pho noodles to the tender slices of rare beef.
Sonny describes the taste of Northern pho as having "the pure flavor of beef permeating every spoonful of broth".
Leaving Hanoi, Sonny flew to Ho Chi Minh City to try Pho Nam - a more diverse and rich version of Pho in terms of ingredients.
At a small restaurant located in a small alley in Ho Hao Hon, Cau Kho (District 1, HCMC), he enjoyed a bowl of pho with a unique combination of flank, tendon, rare, and especially rich broth. Southern pho stands out with a basket of raw vegetables served with it and a light sweetness from the broth.
The highlight of Sonny’s trip was the $100 pho experience at Chef Peter Franklin’s Anan Saigon restaurant, which combines modern cooking techniques with a respect for tradition.
This luxurious pho is meticulously prepared with 7 types of beef, from premium Angus beef tenderloin, beef tongue, beef tendon, to firm beef shank, beef brisket, beef skirt and beef balls.
The broth is simmered for 12 hours, then carefully filtered to achieve perfect clarity and flavor. Additionally, the dish is served with premium truffle sauce, creating a unique culinary experience.
Sonny commented: "The broth is rich and smooth, combined with premium ingredients to make a truly worthy dish."
From a bowl of pho that costs just over $2 to a bowl that costs $100, each experience gives Sonny a different perspective on Vietnamese pho. Whether it’s Northern pho or Southern pho, popular or high-end, this dish always contains the soul of Vietnamese cuisine: harmonious, sophisticated and full of creativity.
