New York’s Vietnamese food scene has come a long way in the past decade. I’m Vietnamese and when I moved to NYC from Houston in 2011, it was really hard finding the Vietnamese dishes I craved and found comfort in. There’s still room for growth but it’s great progress when there are more than one option for dishes like bun bo hue.
What is Bun Bo Hue?
Most people only think of pho when they think of Vietnamese food or when they think of Vietnamese noodle soups, but bun bo hue is a hidden gem not to be missed. The literal translation: “bun” is a rice noodle, “bo” is beef, and “hue” is a city in Vietnam where the dish originated.
Bun bo hue broth is a flavorful mix of chilis and spices, lemongrass, and of course beef. The savory noodle soup is served with lime wedges, green onion, raw sliced onions, basil, saw tooth herb, bean sprouts, slice cabbage, and “ot sate” which is a red chili lemongrass sate paste for those who can handle an extra kick of spice.
It’s a labor of love to make at home, spanning over more than a day of prep work and letting the broth simmer. Not everyone has access to all the ingredients needed to cook bun bo hue or has the time to dedicate to making it.
For more of the best pho, ramen, and bun bo hue, check out my Guide to Noodle Soup Season in NYC.
The Best Bun Bo Hue in NYC
These are a few of the best bun bo hue options in Manhattan – the places that aren’t afraid of the umami packed flavors and spice that comes with the noodle soup dish. Disclaimer: this is not a comprehensive list of all the restaurants that may serve this dish and I’m constantly trying new spots to add to my guides.
Saigon Social
If you’re lucky enough to catch the bun bo hue on special at Saigon Social, do not skip on ordering it. The broth is flavorful and though you can certainly taste the spice, it’s not too overwhelming for those who can’t handle spicy food. I’ve asked if this can be a regular item menu and if enough people do, maybe it will become a permanent staple.
Non La
A small, family-owned Vietnamese restaurant in the East Village, Non La serves a great bun bo hue. The portion size is generous and the broth is flavorful. This one comes with pork knuckles with the soup and though they don’t have ot sate on the side, they will give you a side of chili if you need extra spice.
Sao Mai
A family run, no-frills Vietnamese eatery in the East Village, Sao Mai is perfect for a casual meal or for delivery. The bun bo hue at Sao Mai certainly has a kick to it so not having the ot sate to add isn’t a problem. The pork knuckles in this bun bo hue come with the soup (no need to add on) and are smaller in size so it’s more manageable to eat. Most people come to Sao Mai for the more popular and more well-known noodle soup dish, pho, but you’re going to want to try the bun bo hue.
Pho Bar
Update: Pho Bar has sadly closed its Manhattan locations but will soon be opening in Park Slope.
Pho Bar probably has the best bun hue in Manhattan. It is packed with spice and flavor, served with all the right ingredients. You’ll get brisket, beef shank, sliced cha lua (a Vietnamese ham or pork roll), and even the option to add in pork knuckles. Pho Bar serves a side dish of all the toppings: bean sprouts, herbs, lemon wedges, sliced cabbage, and the chili lemongrass paste “ot sate.”