Bún Bò Huế 14B

Two friends and a mother’s recipe

Bún Bò Huế 14B is a small noodle shop on Street 46 in the old District 4 of Ho Chi Minh City. It was opened in June 2018 by two university friends, Nguyễn Hoàng Vũ and Nguyễn Thái Châu, who had bonded over bún bò Huế as students; Vũ’s mother comes from Huế, and the pair built the shop on family recipes.

Michelin added it to its Bib Gourmand selection in 2024, and it still holds the distinction. Michelin now lists it as take-out only; in 2024 there were a few tables inside and on the pavement for about ten people, while the bulk of the trade went out as delivery.

A Huế broth, adjusted for Saigon

The founders spent months testing the broth, weighing the traditional Huế taste against the richer, sweeter flavours Saigon diners prefer, and settled on a moderately spicy version simmered for hours from beef and pork bones with onion. Vũ told Michelin that the signature lies in a carefully chosen fish sauce, balanced by lemongrass and a touch of pineapple for sweetness.

Bowls come with stewed beef, beef tendon and fish fillet, and can be built up with beef balls, pork trotter and Huế-style pork patties made to an original recipe, with a house chilli satay for extra heat. Bean sprouts, chilli, lime and fish sauce are on hand to finish it.

Sources: Michelin Guide