The Search for Authentic Pho Paris: From Hanoi Broth to Paris Bowls

Finding authentic pho Paris is more than finding a hot bowl of noodles. A good pho needs clear broth, soft rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a sense of origin behind the recipe. In central Paris, Hanoi 1988 brings that feeling through two restaurants serving different styles of Vietnamese pho, from rare beef pho and chicken pho to vegetarian pho, hot stone pot pho, and dry mixed pho.

From Hanoi to Paris: the story behind Hanoi 1988

Before Hanoi 1988 became a place for pho in Paris, it began with Huy, the founder of the restaurant. Huy was born in Hanoi in 1988, the year that later became part of the restaurant’s name.

His first creative path was not cooking, but photography. As a journal photographer, he learned to observe detail, movement, emotion, and atmosphere. That way of seeing the world shaped how he later approached food: not only as something to serve, but as something to feel, remember, and recreate carefully.

After spending years in France, Huy returned to Hanoi. There, the food of his childhood came back with full force. The sound of the street, the smell of broth, the herbs, the steam, and the rhythm of Vietnamese daily life all came together in one dish: pho.

That bowl became a turning point.

The broth was rich but clean. The herbs were aromatic. The beef was tender. The whole experience reminded him that Vietnamese food could carry memory, place, and emotion in a very direct way. Photography remained part of his story, but Vietnamese cuisine became the next chapter.

Back in Paris, Huy began learning how to cook Vietnamese dishes seriously. He worked pot by pot, recipe by recipe, with pho at the centre of the journey. Later, he returned to Vietnam and joined a pho cooking contest, where he received the Golden Anise Award. That experience gave him a clearer mission: to bring the flavours of Hanoi to Paris with care, honesty, and warmth.

Today, Hanoi 1988 is built around that journey. The restaurants do not simply serve Vietnamese food in Paris. They serve dishes connected to a personal memory of Hanoi, especially the bowls of pho that started everything.

What makes a bowl of pho worth searching for?

When people search for pho Paris, they are usually looking for comfort. But the best pho is not only comforting. It has structure.

The broth is the first thing that matters. It should feel deep, aromatic, and balanced. A good broth does not need to be heavy to be satisfying. It should carry the flavour of slow cooking, bones, spices, herbs, and time.

The noodles matter too. Pho uses flat rice noodles, which should be soft but not broken. They need to hold the broth well without turning mushy.

The noodles matter too. Phở uses flat rice noodles, which should be soft but not broken. They need to hold the broth well without turning mushy.

Then comes the protein. Beef, chicken, tofu, or mushrooms should not feel separate from the bowl. Each ingredient needs to work with the broth, not against it.

Finally, there is freshness. Herbs, onion, coriander, lime, and other aromatics bring lift to the bowl. Without freshness, pho can feel flat. With it, each spoonful feels lighter and more complete.

This balance is why authentic pho in Paris can be hard to find. It is not enough to serve noodles in broth. The bowl needs patience, detail, and a clear idea of what pho should taste like.

Hanoi 1988: pho near Notre-Dame and the Seine

The first address is Hanoi 1988, located at:

72 Quai des Orfèvres, 75001 Paris

This restaurant is a strong choice for anyone exploring central Paris. It sits near the Seine, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Pont Neuf, and Île de la Cité. For travellers walking around the historic centre, it is an easy place to stop for a warm bowl of pho in Paris.

The restaurant works well for couples, small groups, tourists, office lunches, and anyone who wants Vietnamese comfort food in a central location. The menu includes more than phở, but phở remains one of the main reasons to visit.

The main phở options include:

Pho Du Chef — beef sautéed with onion, served with beef broth. This is a good first order if you want a house-style bowl with extra aroma.

Pho Tai — rare beef pho. Simple, classic, and ideal for tasting the broth clearly.

Pho Ha Noi Garlicky — beef sautéed with garlic. This version is more savoury and aromatic, good for diners who like stronger flavours.

Pho TNT — rare beef and beef meatball served in a hot stone pot. This is one of the most memorable options for diners who want heat, steam, and a more visual experience.

Pho Ga — chicken pho with grilled chicken and onion. A lighter option for people who prefer chicken to beef.

Pho Chay — vegetarian pho with mushrooms, tofu, and vegetable broth.

Pho Tron — dry mixed pho with beef or vegetarian options. This is a lighter choice for people who want pho flavours without a full soup bowl.

Hanoi 1988 Sao Vang: a deeper pho menu on Ile Saint-Louis

The second address is Hanoi 1988 Sao Vang, located at:

16 Rue le Regrattier, 75004 Paris

If the first Hanoi 1988 is the central flagship, Hanoi 1988 Sao Vang is the better choice for diners who want to explore more types of pho. The restaurant is located on Ile Saint-Louis, close to Notre-Dame and Le Marais, making it convenient but still slightly quieter than many tourist-heavy streets.

This address is best for pho lovers, Vietnamese diners missing familiar flavours, travellers looking for a proper meal near Notre-Dame, and anyone who wants more than one standard beef noodle soup option.

The menu includes a wide range of pho:

Pho Bo is the main beef pho category. Diners can choose rare beef, cooked beef, rare and cooked beef, beef stew, beef sautéed with onion, beef sautéed with garlic, or hot stone pot pho.

Pho Tai is the best choice for a clean, classic beef bowl.

Pho Chin is better for diners who prefer fully cooked beef.

Pho Tai Chin combines rare and cooked beef, giving more texture in one bowl.

Pho Bo Sot Vang is a richer beef stew pho, perfect for cold Paris days.

Pho Ha Noi 1988 uses beef sautéed with onion for a more aromatic house-style bowl.

Pho Sao Vang uses beef sautéed with garlic, making it bold and savoury.

Pho TNT is served in a hot stone pot, ideal for a more dramatic pho experience.

Pho Ga comes with chicken breast or chicken thigh, offering a lighter alternative to beef.

Pho Chay is made with vegetarian broth, tofu, and mushrooms.

Pho Tron is a dry mixed pho with beef, chicken, or vegetarian options, served with hot broth on the side.

Which Hanoi 1988 address should you choose?

Choose Hanoi 1988 at 72 Quai des Orfèvres if you want a central restaurant near the Seine and Notre-Dame. It is the better option for travellers who want pho Paris in an easy location, with a wider Vietnamese menu for the whole table.

Choose Hanoi 1988 Sao Vang at 16 Rue le Regrattier if your main goal is pho. This address gives you more pho styles, from rare beef and chicken to beef stew, garlic beef, vegetarian pho, hot stone pho, and dry mixed pho.

For your first bowl, order Pho Tai. It is simple, classic, and broth-focused. For something richer, choose Pho Bo Sot Vang. For a stronger aroma, choose Pho Sao Vang or Pho Ha Noi Garlicky. For a lighter bowl, choose Pho Ga. For something fresh and different, try Pho Tron.

FAQ About Pho Paris

Where can I eat authentic pho in Paris?

You can eat authentic pho in Paris at Hanoi 1988 and Hanoi 1988 Sao Vang. Hanoi 1988 is located at 72 Quai des Orfèvres, 75001 Paris, near the Seine and Notre-Dame. Hanoi 1988 Sao Vang is located at 16 Rue le Regrattier, 75004 Paris, on Ile Saint-Louis.

What is the best pho to order first?

If it is your first time eating pho, start with Pho Tai. It is a classic rare beef pho and lets you taste the broth clearly. If you prefer fully cooked meat, choose Pho Chin. If you want something richer, try Pho Bo Sot Vang.

Is there vegetarian pho at Hanoi 1988?

Yes. Both Hanoi 1988 restaurants serve Pho Chay, a vegetarian pho made with tofu, mushrooms, and vegetable broth. It is a good choice for vegetarian diners looking for pho Paris without meat.

Ready to experience the dish the way it is meant to be enjoyed? Authentic Pho is available at Hanoi 1988 across its Paris locations. To reserve a table or explore the full menu, visit viet-eat.com.