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Vibrant Vietnamese Noodle Soup Recipe

Vibrant Vietnamese Noodle Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 5 1x

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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