Pho from all regions gather to find the best pho cook in 2025

On the morning of September 19, the 2025 Pho Cooking Contest officially entered its most important stage - the final round taking place at Van Thanh Tourist Area, Ho Chi Minh City.

26 contestants competed together to receive the Golden Star Anise title - Photo: HUU HANH

In the final round of Finding the Best Pho Cook 2025, 26 chefs from 26 different booths took turns demonstrating the process of preparing a bowl of pho until their own finished product.

The jury members of the competition include: Culinary artist Pham Anh Tuyet; artist Bui Thi Suong; Vice President of the Vietnam Young Chefs Council - Mr. Do Nguyen Hoang Long; Ms. Van Nu Ai Nhi - Representative of Acecook and representative of Tuoi Tre newspaper is journalist Cao Huy Tho - Deputy Director of the Event Communication Center.

In addition, the new point of this year's competition is the appearance of a panel of judges including KOLs or culinary writers: Mr. Nguyen Tuan Trung - owner of Pho Phu Gia restaurant; Ms. Nguyen Tieu Bich Tran Tran - Golden Star Anise 2019; journalist Cao An Bien from Thanh Nien Newspaper; journalist Bich Phuong from VnExpress Newspaper and culinary media expert Thanh Van.

Fierce competition for the Golden Star Anise title

The judges not only enjoy and score, but also give comments and suggestions on ingredients and how to adjust the flavors to suit the contestants so that they can learn from experience and improve their skills to make better pots of pho next time.

Many contestants chose to innovate the traditional flavor of pho by changing the ingredients such as Ngoc Linh ginseng pho or green rice noodle pho, pho with noodles made from ginseng and cinnamon powder...

Contestants face the pressure of having to quickly prepare dishes while also answering judges' questions about ingredient selection and cooking techniques - Photo: HUU HANH

Although it's the same dish, the contestants' presentation is colorful and varied. Each time they pass a different stall, the pho becomes much more different.

Even though they have spent many years learning about pho, the judges are still surprised by the contestants' clever tricks.

Some candidates used grapefruit seeds, galangal, and even purple dragon fruit to create different shades.

Not only is the pho unique, the contestants' competition styles are also very different. Some invest in premium ingredients such as Cu Chi beef or Australian beef, while others invest in the visual aspect and presentation techniques.

The common point of the bowls of pho participating in the program is that they are all delicious and beautifully presented - Photo: HUU HANH

All of these elements have their own scoring categories within the program. Thanks to that, the judges have the opportunity to go from one surprise to another, each bowl of pho has its own unique points.

The final results will be announced by the organizers this afternoon, September 19, with the total highest prize value up to 20 million VND.

Contestant with talent of slicing meat super thinly, making the meat so soft that it almost melts in the mouth, was highly praised by the judges - Photo: HUU HANH

Contestant Dao Thi Hang, from Australia, brought a giant bowl of pho to the competition, leaving the judges in awe - Photo: HUU HANH

Judge Do Nguyen Hoang Long gave candid comments to the contestants - Photo: HUU HANH

Contestant Vuong Van Tung, who won the Silver Star Anise Award in 2022, is now returning to the competition - Photo: HUU HANH

The judges had to taste 26 flavors of pho, a big challenge in one morning - Photo: HUU HANH

Contestant Nguyen Chi Quang Duc brought Gia Lai dry pho to the competition, this is the second time this unique pho dish appeared at Finding a good pho cook - Photo: HUU HANH

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tong is proud to be the son-in-law of Co village, one of the long-standing pho villages of Nam Dinh. His wife also came to help and cheer him on - Photo: HUU HANH

Mr. Vu Dinh Khai brought to the competition pho dishes from Las Vegas (USA), he also shared interesting things about his experience selling pho next to the world's largest casinos - Photo: HUU HANH

Mr. Mai Minh Vu stands out with the combination of two Hanoi "gifts": pho and green rice - Photo: HUU HANH

Contestant Pham Vu Nguyen is a freelance chef who wants to participate in the competition to show off his pho cooking skills and learn from experience - Photo: HUU HANH

Journalist Cao Huy Tho (center) was grateful that today's judges got to try many new pho dishes that have never appeared on the market before - Photo: HUU HANH

Contestant Do Thi Tam shared that her greatest inspiration for cooking pho comes from her four children at home - Photo: HUU HANH

This year, there are 3 contestants bringing their pho dishes from Australia and the US. Mr. Luong Tien Dat is one of them, willing to travel thousands of kilometers to compete - Photo: HUU HANH

Contestant Nguyen Huu Phat from Binh Thuan impressed with his homemade beef balls - Photo: HUU HANH

Mr. Le Trung Tu is the owner of a famous pho chain in Ho Chi Minh City, but he failed in the previous season of Finding Good Pho Cooks, this year he is determined to take revenge - Photo: HUU HANH

Ms. Le Ngoc Huong Giang, a young contestant, already owns two large pho restaurants in Vietnam and Cambodia - Photo: HUU HANH

To Cuong - HOANG LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/pho-moi-mien-hoi-tu-de-di-tim-nguoi-nau-pho-ngon-nam-2025-20250919111652274.htm