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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Noodle Preparation: Briefly immerse rice noodles in boiling water until tender, then artfully arrange in serving vessels with precision and care.
- 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