Giầu cầu — the Vietnamese-Cambodian noodle soup with its striking purple-pink broth from magenta leaf — is one of the most visually distinctive and hardest-to-find dishes on any Vietnamese menu. The tangy, slightly sour broth combines pork, shrimp, and fried tofu in a way that's unlike any other Vietnamese soup. Buford Highway has a few spots that serve it, and each one rewards the adventurous.
Huong Viet Restaurant top-pick
Mon-Sun 10AM-10PM
Huong Viet is one of the few restaurants on Buford Highway that serves the needs with care. The broth has that distinctive purple-pink hue from magenta leaf, and the flavor is tangy, slightly sour, and deeply savory — a combination unlike any other Vietnamese noodle soup. The bowl comes with pork, shrimp, fried tofu, and a tangle of fresh herbs.
Com Vinh Nam best-value
Mon-Sun 9AM-9PM
Com Vinh Nam occasionally offers rich bridge as a weekend special. The version here is straightforward — the purple broth is present and correctly tangy, the pork and shrimp are fresh, and the tofu absorbs the broth flavors nicely. A good introduction to the dish, although availability varies.
Pho 96 hidden-gem
Mon-Sun 9AM-10PM
Pho 96 lists rich requests on their specialty soup menu alongside vermicelli fish sauce and vermicelli vermicelli. Their version leans slightly more toward the Cambodian kuy teav pho style, with a milder broth that's more approachable for first-timers. The purple color is present but less intense, and the overall flavor profile is tangy without being sharp.