Pakse Pho

Pakse Pho, deeply delicious in the southern city of Laos, by mr.hotsia

I, mr.hotsia, have a firsthand story from Pakse city, Champasak Province, Laos, a trip that must be shared. That is “Pho” – Vietnamese noodle soup that the Lao and Vietnamese locals have jointly adapted into a uniquely distinctive flavor.

After visiting Laos several times and becoming familiar with pho, I learned that truly delicious pho must come from a restaurant owned by authentic Vietnamese people. Vietnamese pho cooks the beef just right, not overcooked and tough, making it tender and enjoyable. This differs from Lao pho, which if not made by a true professional, results in tough beef and unfortunately spoils the flavor.

In Pakse, I found a pho restaurant located opposite Sang Arun Hotel that I really like because the owner is a genuine Vietnamese person. I even heard them speaking Vietnamese while selling, which further guarantees the authentic original taste. This restaurant serves twice as much beef in the bowl compared to other places I have tried in Laos. Although the price is about 15-20 thousand kip (or nearly 80 baht), it is considered reasonable given the quantity and quality.

If you travel to Pakse and stay at Sang Arun Hotel like me, crossing the street to eat at this pho restaurant is an activity you must not miss. Since most Thai tourists staying nearby know this place well, the restaurant is popular among Thai travelers. It is located on the right side after crossing the street from the hotel, just a few steps away.

Get to Know Pakse City and Champasak Province

Pakse is the capital city of Champasak Province, located in southern Laos. It is the starting point for trips to many important tourist attractions, such as Wat Phu Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site not far from the city center (Read details about traveling to Wat Phu Temple)

Besides historical sites, Pakse is a culturally diverse city, especially with a large Vietnamese community. This results in markets and restaurants offering authentic Vietnamese food to enjoy, just like the pho restaurant where I clearly heard Vietnamese being spoken.

Pakse Pho and a Unique Experience

When I ordered a large bowl of pho from this restaurant, the first impression was the fragrant broth carefully simmered. The pho noodles were chewy and soft, the broth was mild and balanced without being too strong, and the fresh beef was cooked just right—not overcooked or tough like I have encountered elsewhere—allowing me to enjoy it continuously without getting bored.

Personally, I, mr.hotsia, prefer pho with tenderly cooked beef because it lets me taste the true texture of the meat and the perfectly balanced broth. This restaurant meets that expectation very well, and the fact that the owner is a genuine Vietnamese person assures the flavor stays true to the original.

Pakse Pho with Nearby Travel and Attractions

If you come to Pakse and want something delicious besides pho, don’t forget to visit the Lak 14 Market, a fresh market with a wide selection of seafood and fresh ingredients (Read about Lak 14 Market). Additionally, Pakse is a good connection point for traveling to Pakxong town, famous for coffee and beautiful waterfalls (Travel to Pakxong, Pakse City, Champasak Province)

Traveling to Pakse is convenient. If coming from Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, you can take a direct bus to Pakse easily (Read details about Pakse Bus Station, Ubon). Upon arrival in Pakse, getting to this pho restaurant is straightforward since it is near Sang Arun Hotel, a popular accommodation for Thai tourists.

Summary and Recommendations from mr.hotsia

For those who love Vietnamese food or want to try authentic pho with a unique southern Laos style, I, mr.hotsia, recommend this pho restaurant in Pakse as a top choice not to be missed. Because the owner is a genuine Vietnamese person, the pho’s flavor is delicious as rumored: the broth is balanced, the noodles are chewy and soft, and the fresh beef is cooked just right. The generous portion offers great value compared to other restaurants in Laos.

Besides the delicious food, visiting Pakse also gives you the chance to experience the riverside community lifestyle along the Mekong River and conveniently travel to important tourist sites in Champasak Province. You can also enjoy diverse Lao and Vietnamese food and culture in one city.

If you plan to travel to southern Laos, don’t forget to try this pho restaurant opposite Sang Arun Hotel. I guarantee the taste will impress you as much as it did me, mr.hotsia.