What began as small eateries often "shot to fame" after a celebrity check-in or an appearance in films or music videos. These Vietnamese pho restaurants have since become widely known and are now considered must-try dining spots in various countries.

Pho Hoang Viet, South Korea

The facade of Pho Hoang Viet in Seoul. Photo: Hoang Viet

In the music video "One More Time," released on 17/11 by the South Korean group All Day Project (ADP), many viewers recognized a Vietnamese restaurant setting with familiar imagery.

The primary filming location was Pho Hoang Viet in Seoul, South Korea. This is one of several establishments within the chain, which has branches in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Incheon. The restaurant is situated in Jongno-gu, Seoul, at the end of an alley on Jong-ro 31-gil, offering a cozy atmosphere in the heart of the capital.

Hoang Viet positions itself as a traditional pho restaurant, using the slogan "It's real pho," with an authentic Vietnamese recipe. The eatery features stainless steel folding tables, wall calendars, beer advertisements, bread trays next to the kitchen counter, and Vietnamese signage.

Pho Cue in Manchester, England

Erling Haaland standing in front of Pho Cue in Manchester. Photo: Erling Haaland

On 7/11, Man City striker Erling Haaland posted a photo taken in front of a Vietnamese restaurant named "Pho Cue Vietnamese Kitchen." The restaurant is known for its traditional pho and characteristic Vietnamese street food.

Although Haaland did not dine at Pho Cue, the photo captured significant fan attention. Pho Cue Vietnamese Kitchen is located in the center of Manchester's Chinatown. The restaurant operates 6 days a week, closed on tuesday, serving from 12h to 16h and 17h to 21h.

According to its description, diners can enjoy "time-honored family recipes and traditional Vietnamese cuisine," reinterpreted with a modern flair. The menu changes seasonally, offering beef, chicken, duck, seafood, and vegetarian pho, alongside other Vietnamese dishes such as nem (fried spring rolls), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and banh xeo (sizzling pancakes).

Pho Tai, France

The owners outside their pho restaurant. Photo:Financial Times

A beef pho restaurant described as "most reminiscent of Hanoi's flavor," located in Paris's Chinatown, was lauded as a "culinary gem" by the Financial Times (2025), attracting diners worldwide. The restaurant gained fame after being visited by leading Asian actors like Luong Trieu Vy, Chan Tu Dan, and Quan Chi Lam.

The chef dedicates 4-5 hours daily to preparing the broth, carefully simmering it to ensure flavors blend harmoniously, resulting in a rich yet not overly fatty taste. The owner aims to provide fresh broth to customers, ensuring all broth is used fresh daily, with no leftovers.

The restaurant opens at 7h30 every morning. Its specialty is beef pho, priced at 14 EUR (approximately 430,000 VND), featuring a special broth, high-quality beef, and meatballs from a local butcher, known for their tender texture.

Pho Thumb, South Korea

The pho truck once checked in by Rose. Photo: eun.y_bean

In 2019, Rose of the K-pop group Blackpink posted an Instagram photo of a bowl of beef pho, rich in meat and described as "traditional Vietnamese pho," from a food truck. Immediately, K-pop fans in South Korea rushed to find it. Vietnamese fans also quickly located the eatery in the Hongdae neighborhood of Seoul.

The previously unknown restaurant suddenly became famous, going viral across social media. Following this surge in popularity, the restaurant secured a permanent location with a clear address. By 2023, "Rose's pho bowl" remained its most famous dish. The restaurant saw its revenue increase tenfold due to the "idol effect." Each bowl of pho here costs approximately 7,000 KRW (equivalent to 141,000 VND).

Pho il, South Korea

Pho il restaurant in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: il Pho

In the initial episodes of the popular television drama "Something in the Rain," actress Son Ye Jin and her colleagues were seen having lunch at a Vietnamese pho restaurant. Subsequently, fans scoured for information about the eatery.

The restaurant, named "il Pho," is located in Mapo district, Seoul. It features a simple and elegant design and had been operating for only about one year before its appearance in the drama. The pho bowl enjoyed by "pretty noona" Yoon Jin-A included all the classic components of Vietnamese pho: rice noodles, thinly sliced cooked beef, and onions. Renowned actor couple Kim Tae Hee and Bi Rain have also dined here.

In addition to pho as its main dish, the restaurant serves various other Vietnamese foods such as goi cuon, nem ran (fried spring rolls), and com rang thap cam (fried rice with mixed ingredients).

Tam Anh