Bo Kho Ganh – Rich, Hearty Vietnamese Beef Stew

Vietnamese beef stew lovers, take note-Bò Kho Gánh is a must-visit in Saigon.
Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, it’s one of only eight new Ho Chi Minh City eateries recognised for exceptional food at affordable prices.

Tucked under the Ngo Gia Tu Apartment Complex on Su Van Hanh Street, District 10, Bò Kho Gánh draws locals and tourists alike with its rich and soulful bowls of Vietnamese beef stew.

What Makes This Vietnamese Beef Stew Special?

The star of the menu is bò kho, a profoundly aromatic Vietnamese beef stew served piping hot in a traditional clay pot. Inside, you’ll find tender chunks of slow-cooked beef, carrots, lemongrass, and star anise floating in a beautifully balanced broth. The Michelin Guide describes it as “rich and naturally sweet”-a flavor profile that keeps people returning.

Guests can pair it with crusty bánh mì, egg noodles, or instant noodles. Many swear by the bánh mì option, tearing off pieces of bread to soak up the stew’s fragrant broth.

A Family Legacy

Owner Tạ Thị Minh Nguyên, 46, shares that Bò Kho Gánh is a part of her family’s heritage. Her grandfather originally opened a sweet soup (chè) stall at the same spot in 1975. The shop later passed down to her mother and eventually to her.

About a decade ago, with chè losing popularity, Minh Nguyên decided to pivot. She introduced bo kho in the morning to sustain the chè business in the evening. The switch was a hit.

The sign outside still reads “Since 1975,” not to mark the start of the beef stew business but as a tribute to her grandfather, whose memory continues to shape the shop’s spirit.

More Than Just a Vietnamese Beef Stew

You’ll notice a bamboo carrying pole at the door, a nod to old Saigon street vendors and a symbol of the family’s humble beginnings. Touches like these give Bò Kho Gánh its distinct charm.

Despite its hidden location, this local favourite is rarely empty. Visitors don’t just come for the Michelin title. They come for comforting food, cooked with soul, and steeped in history.

📍 29 Lot H, Ngo Gia Tu Apartment Complex, Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
💸 Price Range: From VND 50,000
🍴 Must-Try: Bò kho in a hot clay pot
📍 What3Words: ///stolen.paler.cooked