Ben Thanh Cafe

Odense


You'd easily walk right past its unfussy frontage, but for 100% authentic Vietnamese flavours and recipes, Ben Thanh is a superb discovery. Its short menu includes classic pho (noodle soup), French-bread sandwiches and delicious bún thịt nướng (pork slices, salad and peanuts on noodles), but the star choice is light, minty gỏi cuốn tôm thịt (shrimp-and-herb roll with soy-peanut dip).

Order at the counter and grab your own cutlery and extra sauces.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Odense attractions

1. Sankt Albani Kirke

0.02 MILES

With its seemingly endless, sharpened spire, Sankt Albani Kirke is an 1867 Catholic church whose exterior is interesting for the wooden knight and naive,…

2. Paaskestræde

0.05 MILES

For one of Odense's prettiest street scenes, stand at the corner of Adelgade and watch the little cottages tumbling down Paaskestræde towards the…

3. Tinsoldaten

0.05 MILES

The one-legged military figure outside a branch of Nelle's cafe-bar is not to commemorate a historical conflict but represents the Tin Soldier, sad hero…

4. Odense Domkirke

0.11 MILES

A feast of whitewashed Gothic arches and vaulting, Odense’s imposing cathedral took 200 years to build (1300–1499) with the tower added in the 1580s.

5. Oceania

0.11 MILES

With a classical face, seal-flipper feet and a triumphalist six-pack tummy, this astonishing female figure reclines naked on Odense's central square. But…

6. Børnekulturhuset Fyrtøjet

0.12 MILES

In the charming Fyrtøjet, children are encouraged to explore the world of Hans Christian Andersen through music and storytelling.

7. HC Andersens Hus

0.15 MILES

Lying amid the seemingly miniaturised streets of the former poor quarter is the sparse little cottage where Hans Christian Andersen was born. Visiting it…

8. Hans Andersen Statue

0.18 MILES

Outside the low-rise Radisson Blu hotel, Hans Christian Andersen sits with top hat on a seat awaiting selfies.