Chicken pho is stated to have appeared in what year? Chicken pho is stated to have appeared in 1939.
The emergence of phở gà is commonly linked to a shortage of beef in Hanoi. Historical accounts say beef was not sold in markets on Mondays and Fridays, possibly because of restrictions or practical limits on cattle slaughter. Customers still wanted pho, so some vendors adapted the dish with chicken.
The timing also reflects pho’s early development as a flexible street food. Beef pho remained central, but chicken provided a distinct alternative with a lighter broth and tender sliced meat. Over time, phở gà became an established Vietnamese style rather than merely a substitute served on days when beef was unavailable.
The year should be treated as the date stated in the cited historical account, not as a universally documented invention date. Pho’s early history is incompletely recorded, and claims about its origins and milestones can vary. Still, 1939 is the standard answer for the reported appearance of chicken pho.