Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant is an exciting indie game that combines cooking simulation with psychological horror, set in the heart of Vietnam. Developed by marisa0704, this game offers players a unique blend of cozy pho shop management with a thrilling narrative. Play as Anh Hai, the owner of a new pho restaurant, as you serve customers by day and uncover a dark mystery by night.
In Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant, you’ll experience life in a small Vietnamese village. Prepare delicious pho, interact with the locals, and protect your beloved dog, Mr. Gold, from the notorious dog thieves. But beware—once night falls, strange and terrifying events unfold, and you’ll find yourself entangled in a web of supernatural occurrences. As you unravel the village’s secrets, you'll have to make critical decisions that affect the story’s outcome, with multiple endings waiting to be discovered.
This atmospheric game is filled with easter eggs, memes like singer Son Tung MTP or Manchester United fan, and cultural references that celebrate the charm of Vietnamese life, making it a truly unique experience. Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant stands out not only for its intriguing mix of genres but also for its low-poly retro graphics, creating a nostalgic and welcoming feel that complements the game’s deeper narrative.
AntGames is proud to be the first website where you can play Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant online for free, no download required. Experience this viral indie sensation that's captivated players worldwide, right in your browser.
How to Play Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant?
How to Control Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant?
- Mouse: Look around and aim
- WASD: Movement
- Shift: Run
- Left Click: Interact with objects, customers, and ingredients
- Right Click: Zoom in/out
- Tab: Pause menu
- A/D: Control motorcycle
- Esc: Teleport back to restaurant (use if stuck or fallen off map)
How to Cook Pho Correctly?
To prepare the perfect bowl of pho, follow the notebook instructions exactly:
- Place the bowl on the table
- Add noodles to the bowl
- Add meat (raw beef for Phở Tái, or cooked beef depending on order)
- Sprinkle green onions on top
- Pour broth last - THIS MUST BE THE FINAL STEP
The dish will automatically appear in your hands when completed correctly. If you make it wrong, feed it to Mr. Gold and start over.
How to Handle Money and Cashier Mechanics?
The cashier system simulates Vietnam's real currency structure using the 1-2-5 denominations system. Customers don't always pay exact amounts for their pho, so you must calculate and return correct change with absolute precision. Any mistakes will anger customers, damage your restaurant's reputation, and alter story events significantly. Wrong change or incorrect orders can lead directly to bad endings, making the cashier mechanics one of the most critical aspects of gameplay that requires careful attention and basic math skills.
How to Protect Mr. Gold from Dog Thieves?
Protecting your dog Mr. Gold is critical to survival and achieving good endings. You should pet Mr. Gold frequently to reduce his tendency to wander off, and keep him close at all times while avoiding strangers, especially those riding Exciter motorcycles who are notorious dog thieves in Vietnamese culture. Constantly monitor his location even while busy serving customers.
- If Mr. Gold escapes to the street, bring him back immediately
- If Mr. Gold is stolen, the game ends instantly with the message "Mr. Gold is dead"
- Losing Mr. Gold leads to tragic endings and game over
What Happens During Day vs. Night?
The game features distinct day and night cycles that dramatically change the gameplay experience. During daytime, you focus on serving customers and cooking pho while handling normal business operations and chatting with villagers to gather information.
However, nighttime transforms into the "golden hour" for exploring mysteries, when supernatural events begin to occur throughout the village. You'll experience flickering lights, strange footsteps, and unexpected visitors as horror elements intensify. Nighttime exploration is essential for discovering secrets and achieving the best endings, so don't skip this crucial phase of gameplay.
How Many Endings Are There?
Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant features 4 different endings:
- True Ending (Happy Ending) - Reveals surprising secrets
- Missing Owner Ending 1 & 2 - Owner disappears mysteriously
- Rules and Consequences Ending - Face the consequences of your choices
- Lost Gold Ending - Related to losing Mr. Gold to thieves
Your choices throughout the game determine which ending you unlock.
How to Unlock All Endings and Secrets?
To experience all content the game has to offer, you need to replay multiple times with different choices and approaches. Make sure to talk to every NPC in the village, not just the customers who come to your restaurant, as many of them reveal crucial story clues, hidden quests, and entertaining Easter eggs.
Pay close attention to all dialogue, cutscenes, and environmental details throughout your playthrough. Try different strategies like intentionally angering customers or attempting to save the entire village to trigger different outcomes. Explore thoroughly during both day and night cycles, and examine seemingly ordinary objects such as pots, old photos, and signs which often hide Easter eggs and important story elements.
What Are the Top Tips and Tricks for Success in Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant?
Master these essential strategies to survive and uncover all mysteries:
- Interact with Everyone: Talk to ALL NPCs in the village. Many reveal story clues, hidden quests, and Easter eggs
- Listen for Audio Cues: Knocking, footsteps, dog barking, and strange sounds signal danger or hidden locations
- Watch Visual Details: Some details only "flash" briefly at night - observe carefully at different times
- Guard Mr. Gold Obsessively: This is your #1 priority. Check his location constantly while serving customers
- Be Precise with Orders: Exact payment and correct dishes are absolutely critical - errors change the story
- Never Skip Dialogue: Every conversation contains clues leading to different endings
- Explore at Night: Don't miss nighttime exploration - it's essential for the best endings and full story
- Use ESC if Stuck: If you fall off the map, it's not a bug - press ESC to return (dev's playful trick)
- Explore Beyond the Restaurant: Ride the motorcycle around the village for side quests and special encounters
- Try Different Approaches: Replay to experiment - try being perfect vs. making mistakes for varied outcomes
What Makes This Game Unique?
Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant stands out for its authentic Vietnamese representation:
- Cultural Details: Plastic chairs, traditional pho setup, Vietnamese currency system, anti-drug posters, mosaic tiles
- Real-Life References: Exciter motorcycle dog thieves, everyday Vietnamese scenarios
- Dual Nature: Relaxing cooking sim by day, psychological horror by night
- Emotional Storytelling: "In every bowl, there's a story - in every story, there's a heart"
- No Rush: Unlike typical cooking games, this encourages patience and connection over speed
Who Developed Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant?
Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant was developed by marisa0704, a talented Vietnamese student developer who created this indie sensation using Godot Engine. The game showcases how Vietnamese creators can use their own cultural experiences and memories to craft internationally acclaimed independent games.
When Was Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant Released?
Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant was released on October 23rd and quickly became a viral phenomenon across Vietnamese and international gaming communities.
What Platforms Support This Game?
Originally released on itch.io, AntGames is now the first website where you can play Brother Hai's Pho Restaurant directly in your browser, completely free with no downloads required. Experience this cultural phenomenon instantly, anywhere, anytime.
