Guides / Spots

The Best Bun Bo Hue in Toronto

Johnny Ly

2 years ago

Growing tired of pho? Well, here is a list of Toronto's best Bun Bo Hue!

When most people think about Vietnamese food, it's almost unanimous that the first thought would be pho. The popular noodle soup is a favourite for many, but for those in the know, there's a noodle soup dish that might be even better.

Bun Bo Hue is a Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup using round noodles and various meats that include beef, pork, sausages and traditionally, pork blood cubes and pig trotter. It has an incredible blend of lemongrass hints with layered spicy and umami flavours. If you love pho but haven't tried Bun Bo Hue, you're really missing out.

Here are some of the best places for Bun Bo Hue that you'll find in Toronto.

58 Beverly Hills Dr

Pho Con Bo

You know a place is good when the entire restaurant is filled with other Vietnamese patrons. Pho Con Bo does bun bo hue the traditional way, complete with plenty of spices and big chunks of pork blood cubes. If you're a bit wary, feel free to customize how you like, but know that it's worth trying and expect a bit of spice along the way.

2572 Birchmount Rd

Bong Lua

This tiny hidden gem is popular for their noodle soups like the bun rieu, but the bun bo hue is killer. Not only is it absolutely massive, but the sheer amount of meat should underscore just how delicious this soup is. It also may well be the spiciest of all the entries on this list.

252 Spadina Ave

Bun Saigon

This popular Chinatown restaurant serves up Viet comfort food favourites like the pho and bun rieu, but their bun bo hue is a hidden gem. Great spicy and umami flavour, their bun bo hue is becoming a local neighbourhood favourite.

243 Sheppard Ave E

Vietnoms

It might be surprising to see that one of the better bun bo hue dishes in the city comes from a modest takeout spot near Bayview Village. What started as a weekend special has quickly become a menu staple because of the sheer demand. The place is small but the portion sizes are most definitely not.

1090 Kamato Rd

Pho Ngoc Yen Restaurant

Probably a top-three spot for bun bo hue in the city. This Mississauga restaurant might well be the best Vietnamese spot in an area filled with great Viet restaurants. Their bun bo hue is fully authentic with a heaping amount of noodles and spices.

248 Boulton Ave

Que Ling

This tiny Vietnamese restaurant has a small menu but their dishes are packed with flavour. Their bun bo hue is a popular menu item and is a local favourite in Old Chinatown on Gerrard.

11 Fairburn Dr Unit 16-17

The Pho Restaurant

This spot in Markham is not technically in Toronto, but I found it hard to keep off the list. Immensely popular and busy in the area, they're bun bo hue may not be as spicy as others on this list, but it has such a strong lemongrass flavour and the portion size is immense. It is a must try if you're ever in the area.

383 Spadina Ave

Anh Dao Restaurant

This recently reopened Vietnamese restaurant on Spadina is a favourite amongst Toronto's Vietnamese community. They are well known for their authentic Viet dishes like their mon dac biet, but do not sleep on their bun bo hue. It's one of the spicier versions out there and packed with flavour.

308 Dundas St W

Dzo Viet Eatery

This entry on the list is easily the hippest and most contemporary of the bunch. Though not your classic authentic take on bun bo hue, it is still incredibly delicious. They use a slow-cooked broth that has been simmering for over eight hours. They also use a lemongrass sate, pineapple, mam tom and a thick tender piece of beef short rib.

57 Ossington Ave

Pho Tien Thanh

On the Ossington strip, you'll find an unassuming little spot that looks like nothing on the outside but take a step in and find yourself surrounded by the aroma of broth. The bun bo hue here might not be as popular as their pho, but it's just as delicious, if not more so.

738 Gerrard St E

Bach Yen

Over in Old Chinatown on the east end, you'll find perhaps the best Vietnamese restaurant in the area. Many Vietnamese restaurants are around, but the bun bo hue here might be the best, with incredibly rich and strong umami flavours.

1156 College St

Pho Linh

A favourite amongst locals, Pho Linh offers a wide variety of Vietnamese classic comfort food. Their bun bo hue is a must order and has such a rich beefy broth.

2057 Lawrence Ave E

Pho Metro

Becoming a Scarborough institution, Pho Metro is consistently packed for lunch and dinner. Don't be surprised to find a wait, but it's well worth it. Loaded rice and vermicelli bowls are great, but their bun bo hue is stellar. They don't skimp on the toppings here.

2385 Finch Ave W

Bun Bo Hue Pho

When a place is named after a dish, there's a good chance it's their specialty. Bun Bo Hue Pho, located near Weston and Finch, may be the best place in Toronto for this spicy noodle soup. The flavours are incredible and the portion size is hefty.