At around 7 pm on April 23, the presidential couple arrived at Pho Ly Quoc Su Restaurant at 40 Dinh Liet Street, where they sampled traditional Vietnamese dishes including beef pho (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) and fried rice with beef and pickled mustard greens.
Thieu Van Mui, the restaurant owner, poses for a photograph with the South Korean president and his wife (Photo: Provided by the restaurant).
The visit followed a brief preparation period of just two hours after the restaurant owner received confirmation that the delegation would dine there. Authorities conducted security and food safety checks in advance, while the owner arranged seating in the modest 15-square-metre space.
The scene inside the shop as the South Korean president and his wife ate pho (Source: Photojournalists from the South Korean presidential office).
The delegation ordered 17 bowls of well-done beef pho and two portions of fried rice. To accommodate dietary preferences, coriander was omitted and replaced with finely chopped spring onions.
Observers said the president and his spouse added lime and chilli before slowly enjoying the meal, smiling and nodding in approval. The dinner lasted about 25 minutes, with all dishes finished.
Restaurant owner Thieu Van Mui described the visit as an honour, noting that it helped promote Vietnamese cuisine, particularly pho, to international audiences. He said the eatery is likely to see increased interest from visitors following the high profile appearance.
The presidential couple later took a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, blending into the evening atmosphere of the capital. During their stroll, they stopped at a popular ice cream shop, where the first lady enjoyed a cone while greeting passersby.
The South Korean president and his wife walk around Hoan Kiem Lake (Photo: Manh Quan).
In 2018, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook also had pho at a restaurant on Hanoi's Hoang Minh Giam Street.
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife eat pho at a restaurant on Hoang Minh Giam Street in 2018 (Photo: Joongboo).
The state visit by President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse to Vietnam took place from April 21 to April 24 at the invitation of General Secretary and President To Lam.