Pho Bo - Authentic Vietnamese Hot Pot Pho, delicious just like in Vietnam @Chiang Rai

Pho Bo - Authentic Vietnamese Hot Pot Pho, delicious just like in Vietnam @Chiang Rai

When it comes to Vietnamese cuisine, the true flavor is often remembered through the aroma of fresh herbs, the perfect balance of sweet and sour tastes, and the freshness of ingredients sourced directly from the Dragon Land. This time, I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to taste “Pho Bo” or what many know as “Vietnamese Hot Pot Pho” in Chiang Rai, and I must say, the taste is no different from what I have had in Vietnam.

Chiang Rai, a small city full of the charm of diverse cultures, is home to a Vietnamese community that has lived alongside locals for a long time. This has led to the emergence of many authentic Vietnamese restaurants. One of the places I visited, “Pho Bo,” is a small and simple restaurant, but once you taste it, you have to say it’s incredibly satisfying because of the rich hot pot broth simmered to perfection, fragrant with authentic Vietnamese spices like star anise, cinnamon, and fresh culantro served alongside.

When I traveled to Lang Son province, where I once experienced the real Vietnamese way of life (read more atLang Son province, Vietnam), the feeling was like going back to this Pho Bo restaurant. The broth there is simmered from pork bones and beef, enhanced with the aroma of green onions, culantro, and fresh chili added into the hot pot. Side dishes like fresh beef, fish balls, fresh shrimp, and straw mushrooms complete the full flavor.

What makes Pho Bo in Chiang Rai stand out is not just the taste but also the warm atmosphere of the restaurant, like dining at a Vietnamese friend's home. I saw many customers who are Vietnamese residents in Chiang Rai coming here regularly. Some told me, “It feels like eating at home,” which is no surprise because everything from ingredient selection, seasoning, to serving is carefully passed down.

Getting to this restaurant is very easy. It’s located in downtown Chiang Rai, near a fresh market where I once strolled to observe local life (for those interested in Vietnamese markets, try readingMukdahan Morning Marketto see more of the Vietnamese fresh market atmosphere). I like to observe that fresh local vegetables are used in cooking here. The culantro added to the hot pot has a unique fragrance, unlike the coriander we have at home.

My favorite hot pot dish is the “Beef Hot Pot Pho,” with tender and very fresh beef. The beef here is carefully selected. When dipped into the boiling broth, the meat quickly changes color. Biting into it reveals the sweetness of the meat that remains juicy, combined with the rich broth and spices absorbed into the meat, making every bite endlessly enjoyable.

Besides the hot pot, I also ordered the “Dry Pho,” which features soft, chewy pho noodles tossed in the restaurant’s special sauce with a sweet, sour, and slightly spicy flavor, topped with fresh vegetables like bean sprouts and basil leaves. It’s perfect for those who want to eat without waiting for the hot pot to heat up.

For those who like it spicy, I recommend trying the homemade dipping sauce. It’s a sweet and sour sauce with fresh chili and finely chopped garlic, adding a perfectly balanced spicy heat and aroma.

This experience reminded me of my trips to northern Vietnam, such as Dalat or Lang Son, provinces where I once visited Buddhist temples likeTruc Lam Templein Dalat and walked through local markets full of fresh food, as if witnessing the origin of the true pho-eating culture.

If anyone has a chance to visit Chiang Rai, don’t forget to stop by and try “Pho Bo,” authentic Vietnamese hot pot here. It’s not just the taste that I guarantee is delicious, but also the chance to experience Vietnamese culture through food filled with the memories of a traveler like me, mr.hotsia.

For those who want to watch my live review video of this restaurant, you can click to watch atPho Bo - Authentic Vietnamese Hot Pot Pho, delicious just like in Vietnam @Chiang RaiI guarantee you will feel the authentic Vietnamese atmosphere right through the screen.