Phở Trộn: Vietnamese Mixed Pho Noodle

Phở trộn, mixed pho noodle, is a kind of pho, but its taste is completely different from traditional pho. It was one of the favourite foods at Hang Be Market back when the market still existed.

A favourite at Hang Be Market

When Hang Be Market was still there, it was busy with housewives buying food to cook dinner for their husbands and sons. Some office staff went there for snacks or dinner instead of cooking at home.

In the middle of the market there was a street vendor selling phở trộn. It drew a crowd even in the afternoon heat, and because the vendor had only a few seats, some customers had to sit at the next vendor’s stall to eat.

Where the dish comes from

The name can make many people think the dish comes from the Chinese. In fact it belongs to the Northern people, and the Southern people don’t seem to know it. Even so, its cooking style and ingredients are similar to Ho Chi Minh’s noodles.

How it’s put together

The pho noodles go into the bowl first, then some pork chop, herbs, peanuts and fried scallions. Finally the cook adds a sour sauce.

That sauce is the most important ingredient in the dish. Each vendor makes it a different way and keeps the recipe secret, so the taste changes from one restaurant to the next.

Worth looking for in Hanoi

The writer had never tried phở trộn, though a friend had recommended it many times, and planned to look for a place selling it on the next trip to Hanoi. If you get the chance, try it.