Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho- offer customers a unique experience
Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho Restaurant, founded by Ms. Duong Thi Thu Phuong and her associates, is located at 94 Nguyen Khuyen Street (Van Quan, Ha Dong), near Tran Phu Street and the bustling Van Quan urban area. With over 20 years of dedication to the culinary arts, Ms. Phuong decided to elevate the traditional pho with a fresh approach, showcasing her continuous efforts to offer customers a unique experience.
Inspired by the elegant and romantic writings of Thach Lam in "Hanoi's Delicacies," particularly his delicate appreciation of pho, the restaurant aims to be a place where culinary creativity flourishes. Thach Lam described pho as having "clear and sweet broth, tender yet firm noodles, and crispy yet not chewy brisket, with essential accompaniments like fresh herbs, northern pepper, tangy lemon drops, and a hint of ca cuong extract." Ms. Phuong's restaurant embodies these refined perceptions, creating a space for her to explore and innovate with the beloved dish.
Sharing with the Tourism Magazine, Ms. Phuong expressed that while pho is a familiar dish to many, not everyone truly understands or appreciates its nuances. "With the desire to bring customers exciting experiences, Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho will strive to leave a lasting impression on Hanoi's food lovers," Ms. Phuong said.
The process and method of cooking stone bowl pho are not significantly different from traditional pho. So, what makes stone bowl pho so appealing?
The first impression for diners is the boiling broth in the stone bowl, with steam rising dramatically. This feature is unique to stone bowl pho. The stone bowl is heated directly on high flames so that the broth remains boiling when served.
“With traditional pho, boiling the broth at too high a temperature can make it lose its delicate flavor. But with the stone bowl, the high heat retains the broth's clarity and the pho's lightness,” explained Mr. Hung, the head chef of Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho.
Another fascinating aspect is the visually appealing presentation. The neatly cut pho noodles, fresh beef, green herbs, bean sprouts, and sliced red chilies create a colorful and inviting tray. Diners often take photos before enjoying the unique and delicious flavors of this dish, known as the "quintessence of culinary art."
Diners add the noodles, raw meat, and herbs into the stone bowl themselves. The high-temperature broth in the stone bowl cooks the meat to a perfect tenderness, enhancing its flavor. Diners can then season the broth to their taste before enjoying.
The naturally sweet broth, thin and chewy noodles, fresh herbs, and meat create a distinctive, nutritious flavor, with the enticing aroma rising from the bowl forming a "culinary symphony."
The stone bowl, replacing the traditional porcelain bowl, can withstand high heat without deforming, fading, or cracking, ensuring safety during cooking and allowing diners to enjoy hot pho down to the last noodle.
To cater to diverse tastes, Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho offers various meat options such as brisket, flank, tendon, and beef balls. Ingredients are carefully selected to ensure freshness, safety, and hygiene. Diners can assess the freshness of the ingredients directly at their table.
In addition to stone bowl pho, the restaurant serves oxtail hotpot, perfect for families or small groups, in a cozy, private space on the second floor.
By blending the flavors of traditional pho with modern culinary excellence, Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho offers a unique and impressive experience for diners.
On a chilly late autumn or early winter day in Hanoi, enjoy a bowl of stone bowl pho in a warm, clean, and elegant space, served by a professional, attentive staff. This experience will leave a lasting, delightful impression of Hanoi Stone Bowl Pho.