Flavorful Vietnamese Noodle Soup Recipe: A Cozy Homemade Treat

Steaming bowls of hearty pho with its vibrant vietnamese noodle soup recipe transport you straight to the bustling streets of Hanoi.

Fragrant herbs and rich broth swirl together in a delightful dance of flavors.

Tender rice noodles nestle beneath slow-simmered beef or chicken, creating a comforting meal that speaks volumes about Vietnamese culinary traditions.

Layers of aromatics like star anise, cinnamon, and fresh ginger infuse each spoonful with depth and warmth.

Crisp bean sprouts and bright cilantro add fresh contrast to the deep, savory base.

A squeeze of lime brings a zesty brightness that awakens every sense.

This authentic recipe promises a soul-warming experience that connects you to the heart of Vietnamese cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s In Vietnamese Noodle Soup

• Onion: Charring brings out a deep, smoky sweetness that adds complexity to the soup's base.
• Ginger: Provides a warm, spicy kick and helps balance the overall taste profile of the dish.

• Rice Noodles: Soft, silky noodles that serve as the hearty foundation of the Vietnamese soup.
• Vegetable Broth: Provides a light, clean background that lets other ingredients shine.

• Chicken or Tofu: Adds protein and substance to the soup, with chicken offering a traditional flavor or tofu providing a vegetarian alternative.
• Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Mint): Brings bright, fresh notes that lift the entire dish and add a vibrant color and aroma.
• Green Onions: Delivers a mild, sharp bite that cuts through the richness of the broth.
• Bean Sprouts: Introduces a crisp, fresh texture and subtle nutty undertone.

Tools To Prepare Vietnamese Noodle Soup

• Large skillet or grill: Perfect for charring onion and ginger to bring out deep, smoky flavors.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precise cutting of ingredients like onions, ginger, and herbs.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping and preparing all ingredients.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning and handling ingredients during charring process.
• Large pot: Needed for cooking broth and combining soup components.
• Strainer or colander: Useful for draining and rinsing noodles.
• Ladle: Great for serving hot broth over noodles and other ingredients.

How To Make Vietnamese Noodle Soup

• Fire Up the Aromatics

Grab your onion and ginger and roast them over an open flame or in a dry skillet until they develop those gorgeous dark spots. This magical technique unlocks deep, smoky flavors that’ll make your soup sing.

• Craft the Broth Base

In a large pot, combine water with your protein and let it simmer gently. Watch as the liquid transforms, pulling out rich, savory notes that will become the soul of your Vietnamese noodle soup.

• Season and Layer Flavors

Sprinkle in your favorite spices and herbs. This is where the magic happens – each pinch brings your broth closer to that perfect balance of salty, sweet, and complex Vietnamese flavor profile.

• Cook the Noodles

Drop those silky noodles into the bubbling broth. They’ll dance and soften, absorbing all those incredible surrounding flavors, turning from plain strands into delicious carriers of taste.

• Assemble Your Masterpiece

Ladle the steaming broth over your noodles. Top with fresh herbs, a squeeze of lime, and some crisp vegetables. Each bowl becomes a personalized canvas of color, texture, and mouthwatering aroma.

• Serve Piping Hot

Present your Vietnamese noodle soup immediately. The moment of first bite is pure culinary joy – a warm, comforting embrace of tradition and flavor.

Tips For Vietnamese Noodle Soup Richness

• Flame-Roasting Magic: Charring onions and ginger over direct heat breaks down their natural sugars, creating a deeper, smokier flavor profile that elevates the entire soup's taste.
• Broth Brilliance: Simmer the broth slowly and low to extract maximum flavor from bones and aromatics, ensuring a rich and complex base for your noodle soup.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap traditional beef with grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to suit different dietary preferences while maintaining the authentic Vietnamese soup essence.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by adding fresh chili peppers, sriracha, or chili oil on the side, allowing each diner to customize their personal spice experience.
• Texture Tricks: Prepare toppings like bean sprouts, herbs, and lime wedges separately, letting diners add their preferred combinations for a personalized and fresh-tasting bowl.

How To Serve Vietnamese Noodle Soup Hot

• Flavor Boost Companions: Pair this soup with fresh Thai basil, crisp bean sprouts, and lime wedges to add brightness and texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the dish by topping with grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or sliced beef for a more substantial meal.
• Spice Lover's Paradise: Serve with sriracha sauce, chili oil, or sliced fresh chili peppers for those who enjoy an extra kick of heat.
• Texture Crunch Addition: Sprinkle crushed peanuts or crispy fried shallots on top to introduce a delightful crunch that complements the soft noodles.

How To Store Vietnamese Noodle Soup Properly

• Quick Refrigeration Solution: Store leftover soup broth and noodles separately to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy noodles, keeping ingredients fresh for 3-4 days in sealed containers.
• Smart Flavor Boost: When reheating, add fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil just before serving to restore vibrant taste and aromatic qualities lost during initial storage.
• Freezing Strategy: Freeze soup base without noodles in airtight containers for up to 2 months, allowing flexible meal preparation when unexpected cravings strike or time is limited.
• Portioning Trick: Divide soup components into individual serving sizes, which simplifies quick meal prep and ensures each portion remains fresh and delicious during storage.

Vibrant Vietnamese Noodle Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Pho, a classic Vietnamese noodle soup, delights taste buds with its rich broth and tender meat. Fragrant herbs and silky rice noodles create a comforting bowl that transports diners to the bustling streets of Hanoi.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ lb (225g) thinly sliced beef (sirloin or flank steak) or chicken breast
• 8 oz (225g) rice noodles (medium or thin)
• 4 cups (1 liter) beef or chicken stock
• 4 cups (1 liter) water
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 large onion, halved
• 3-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 1 red chili or jalapeno, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 star anise pods
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• Fresh herbs: cilantro, Thai basil, and mint leaves
• Hoisin sauce for serving
• Sriracha for serving
• Optional: tofu slices for vegetarian option

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Instructions

1. Charring Aromatics: Roast onion and ginger over an open flame or scorching skillet, rotating to develop a rich, smoky complexity that elevates the foundational flavor profile.
2. Broth Foundation: Combine water, bones, and charred aromatics in a spacious stockpot, allowing ingredients to meld and create a deeply nuanced liquid base through gentle simmering.
3. Spice Infusion: Introduce star anise, cinnamon, and warming spices, letting them steep and release intricate aromatic notes while periodically skimming away impurities to maintain a crystal-clear stock.
4. Flavor Refinement: Strain the simmered liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, extracting a silky, intensely flavored broth and seasoning with fish sauce to achieve a perfectly balanced taste profile.
5. Noodle Preparation: Briefly immerse rice noodles in boiling water until tender, then artfully arrange in serving vessels with precision and care.
6. Final Composition: Crown the steaming broth with fresh herbs, delicately sliced protein, and crisp bean sprouts, transforming the dish into a visually stunning and multi-textural culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Char Aromatics Carefully: Direct flame or hot skillet ensures deep, smoky flavor development in onions and ginger, transforming their taste profile.
• Strain Broth Thoroughly: Use fine-mesh sieve to create crystal-clear stock, removing impurities for a clean, refined base that highlights complex spice notes.
• Balance Seasoning Mindfully: Adjust fish sauce gradually to achieve perfect salt level without overwhelming delicate broth components, tasting as you season.
• Noodle Texture Matters: Cook rice noodles briefly to maintain slight chewiness, preventing mushiness and ensuring authentic Vietnamese soup experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg