Vietnamese Pho

By Ben Braiser

Tags: #asian #comfort

Prep:: 30 minutes
Cook:: 180 minutes
Total:: 210 minutes
Yield:: 6 servings

Vietnamese Pho is a fragrant noodle soup of richly simmered beef broth infused with charred onion, ginger, and warm spices, poured over tender rice noodles and thinly sliced beef. Topped with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime, it delivers a balance of savory, sweet, and bright flavors in every bowl. A beloved street-food staple, it’s perfect for both cozy dinners and special gatherings.

Ingredients

2.00 cup onion, sliced

4.00 ounce ginger, sliced

4.00 pods star anise

2.00 sticks cinnamon

6.00 cloves

2.00 tbsp coriander seeds

4.00 pound beef marrow bones

12.00 cup water

0.50 cup fish sauce

2.00 tbsp sugar

8.00 ounce rice noodles

1.00 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced

1.00 cup onion, thinly sliced

1.00 cup cilantro leaves

1.00 cup Thai basil

1.00 cup bean sprouts

1.00 lime, cut into wedges

1.00 chili, thinly sliced

Steps

Char onion and ginger under the broiler until lightly blackened.
Toast spices in a dry skillet until aromatic.
Simmer broth: combine beef marrow bones, water, charred onion, ginger, and toasted spices; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 180 minutes.
Strain broth into a clean pot and stir in fish sauce and sugar; keep warm.
Prepare noodles: soak or briefly blanch rice noodles until tender, then drain.
Assemble: divide noodles into bowls, top with raw beef slices and sliced onion, then ladle hot broth over.
Garnish each bowl with cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sliced chili.