In Vietnamese noodle soup restaurants, you can often find places with “Pho” in their names. Since Vietnamese refer to noodle soup as “Pho,” it naturally becomes a common element in the names of these establishments. Most Vietnamese noodle soup places in Korea also feature “Pho” in their names.
“Pho Thin” is one such place among these noodle soup spots. Operating as a franchise restaurant found throughout Korea, it boasts the advantage of offering a similar taste no matter which location you visit.
“Vietnamese Hanoi Noodle Soup, Pho Thin”
Pho Thin is recognized as one of the top three noodle soup places in Hanoi, Vietnam. It has even been featured on the travel-specialized show ‘Battle Trip.’ The episode showcased Kim Kwang-gyu and Ok Taec-yeon visiting Pho Thin in Hanoi.
Now, you don’t have to travel to Hanoi to taste Pho Thin. It has established itself in Korea under the name “Pho Thin,” and you can find its restaurants all over the country.
“Seoul Gwanghwamun Vietnamese Noodle Soup, Pho Thin”
You can find Pho Thin in the Gwanghwamun area. “Pho Thin Gwanghwamun Branch” is located in The K Twin Tower, which is a large building found to the east of Gwanghwamun Square, behind the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. It is situated in the underground restaurant area of the same building, where various dining options are available.
Pho Thin offers a diverse menu featuring various rice noodle soups and other Vietnamese dishes. Each item boasts a certain level of quality, ensuring a delicious meal. The menu includes:
- Directly Fired Rice Noodle Soup: 9,500 KRW
- Premium Rice Noodle Soup: 11,000 KRW
- Beef Tripe Rice Noodle Soup: 13,500 KRW
- Bun Cha (Grilled Pork with Vermicelli): 13,500 KRW
- Shrimp Fried Rice: 9,500 KRW
- Grilled Pork Patties on Sugar Cane: 11,500 KRW
- Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Pancake): 15,000 KRW
- Nem (6Pcs): 8,000 KRW
- Tet Mien (4Pcs): 6,500 KRW
- Gai Vien (3Pcs): 4,500 KRW
- Gway (1Pcs): 1,000 KRW
“Directly Fired Rice Noodle Soup: 9,500 KRW, Nem: 8,000 KRW”
On this day, I visited for a simple meal. I ordered one of the basic menu items, the rice noodle soup, and to share among friends, I also ordered “Nem,” which came in a set of six. Since having just the noodle soup might be a bit light, adding “Nem” made the meal more satisfying.
While I haven’t personally been to Vietnam, and I can’t confirm how closely it resembles the local flavors, Pho Thin does offer a taste good enough for a satisfying meal.
“A Considerable-sized Establishment”
The restaurant is located in the underground section of a large building, and it is surprisingly spacious. It can accommodate over 50 people at once, making it suitable for group visits without much hassle. Being in the underground section of The K Twin Tower, you can enter the building and descend to find the restaurant. It’s a great place to visit when the craving for Vietnamese food strikes.
“Seoul Gwanghwamun Pho Thin Gwanghwamun Branch”
- Address: B1, 50 Jongno 1-gil, The K Twin Tower Bldg., Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Phone: 02-432-9100
- Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 10:30 – 20:30, (Sat) 10:30 – 19:30