Is bobun lighter than pho?

Yes and no. In calories, bobun (around 500-650 kcal) is slightly lighter than phở bò (600-750 kcal), mainly because pho's broth concentrates fats from long bone cooking. However, both dishes remain balanced, rich in protein and vegetables.

Can bobun or pho be prepared in advance?

Bobun is quite suitable for advance preparation: cooked vermicelli, sautéed meat and raw vegetables keep 24 to 48 hours refrigerated. Pho is more delicate — only the broth can be prepared the day before, but noodles and herbs must be plated at the last minute to keep their texture.

Does Phở 98 offer a takeaway version?

Yes. Bobun and pho are available for takeaway and delivery via Citron 8, Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Pho packaging separates broth, noodles and herbs to preserve textures. Bobun is delivered with the sauce in a separate container.

Which drink best pairs with bobun and pho?

An iced green tea works very well with both. For bobun, a light Asian beer (Saigon Beer, Tiger) pairs with sweet-and-salty flavours. For pho, favour a hot jasmine tea or a homemade lemonade to balance the richness of the broth.

Bobun, pho and Vietnamese soups: what's the difference and how to choose?

Bobun, pho, banh mi, bun cha, bun bo hue... Vietnamese cuisine is full of rice noodle dishes. How to navigate? This guide helps you tell bobun from pho and pick the dish that fits your craving, for dine-in or takeaway in Paris.

CuisinePublished on April 18, 20266 min readby Sophie Zhan

Vietnamese shrimp bobun plated on black marble

What is bobun: an assembled cold dish

Bobun (or bún bò nam bộ in its original version) is a cold dish made of rice vermicelli, beef sautéed with lemongrass, raw vegetables (lettuce, cucumber, grated carrots), fresh herbs (coriander, mint) and crispy spring rolls. It is served in a deep bowl with a nước chấm sauce on the side: a blend of fish sauce, lime, sugar, garlic and chilli.

Originally from South Vietnam, bobun has become one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes in France. Its success lies in its simplicity of assembly, its balance between protein, vegetables and starch, and above all the variety of textures: crunchy vegetables, soft vermicelli, tender marinated meat, crispy spring rolls. It is an ideal dish for a light yet filling lunch.

What is pho: an iconic Vietnamese soup

Pho is a hot dish made of a clear beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà) broth, flat rice noodles, sliced meat and fresh herbs added at the moment of service. The broth, slowly simmered with cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, ginger and grilled onion, is the soul of the dish.

Originally from northern Vietnam at the end of the 19th century, pho is now the country's national dish. There are dozens of regional variants: Hanoi pho (clearer, less sweet), Saigon pho (richer, with more toppings), phở tai (raw beef seared by the broth), phở bò viên (with beef meatballs). To go deeper, read our guide to the best pho in Paris 9.

Five essential differences between bobun and pho

First difference: temperature. Bobun is eaten cold or lukewarm, pho is enjoyed piping hot. Second difference: structure. Bobun is an assembled dish with a sauce served on the side; pho is a soup where all elements bathe in the broth. Third difference: noodles. Bobun uses thin vermicelli (bún), pho uses flat rice noodles (bánh phở).

Fourth difference: toppings. Bobun systematically includes raw vegetables, fried spring rolls and roasted peanuts. Pho is limited to meat, fresh herbs and possibly a few onions. Fifth difference: occasion. Bobun is a lunch dish, quick and light. Pho is traditionally a breakfast in Vietnam, become in the West a full meal dish, ideal for winter evenings or recovery meals.

How to choose between bobun and pho by occasion

Go for bobun if you want a quick, fresh and light dish, to be eaten in about twenty minutes, possibly for takeaway at the office or park. It's also an excellent option for a business lunch: no splashing broth, no repeated pauses, and a visually tidy dish. In warm weather, bobun wins easily.

Choose pho if you have more time, if you want a comforting dish, or if you wish to share a convivial moment around a big soup. It's also the ideal option when you're cold, recovering from physical effort, or exploring the core of Vietnamese cuisine. At Phở 98, both dishes are on the menu lunch and dinner — you can compare them during the same visit by sharing with a friend.

Bobun and pho at Phở 98 in Paris 9

Our restaurant at 45 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre serves a signature bobun prepared with lemongrass-sautéed beef, homemade spring rolls, fresh herbs and nước chấm sauce dosed by our chef. The price on the menu includes the full version; a vegetarian version with crispy tofu is available on request. For pho, we serve classic phở bò, phở gà with free-range chicken and phở tai with raw beef slices.

Both dishes appear in our full online menu, updated in real time via Google Sheets. To book a table and compare the two dishes during the same meal, reach us through our contact page or call +33 9 55 85 71 99. Phở 98 is open 7 days a week, lunch and dinner, two minutes from Grands Boulevards metro. Discover the Salon's atmosphere through our photo gallery — a golden decor designed to honour modern Vietnamese cuisine.

Frequently asked questions

Is bobun lighter than pho?
Yes and no. In calories, bobun (around 500-650 kcal) is slightly lighter than phở bò (600-750 kcal), mainly because pho's broth concentrates fats from long bone cooking. However, both dishes remain balanced, rich in protein and vegetables.
Can bobun or pho be prepared in advance?
Bobun is quite suitable for advance preparation: cooked vermicelli, sautéed meat and raw vegetables keep 24 to 48 hours refrigerated. Pho is more delicate — only the broth can be prepared the day before, but noodles and herbs must be plated at the last minute to keep their texture.
Does Phở 98 offer a takeaway version?
Yes. Bobun and pho are available for takeaway and delivery via Citron 8, Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Pho packaging separates broth, noodles and herbs to preserve textures. Bobun is delivered with the sauce in a separate container.
Which drink best pairs with bobun and pho?
An iced green tea works very well with both. For bobun, a light Asian beer (Saigon Beer, Tiger) pairs with sweet-and-salty flavours. For pho, favour a hot jasmine tea or a homemade lemonade to balance the richness of the broth.