Pho, “Phở” in Vietnamese, is a Vietnamese noodle dish consisting of rice noodles, broth, meat and fresh herbs such as scallion, cilantro, and onion. Pho is served in a thick ceramic bowl when the broth is still boiling hot, and is sided with some fresh basils, bean sprouts, and a lime wedge.
There are two kinds of Pho, either Pho bo (beef noodle soup) or Pho ga (chicken noodle soup).
In details, they look like this:
-
Pho bo (beef noodle soup)
Pho bo, or beef noodle soup, is considered a Vietnamese national dish. It consists of sliced beef, beef stock, rice noodles, and topped with chopped ginger, scallion, yellow onion and cilantros.
-
Pho ga (chicken noodle soup)
Pho ga, or chicken noodle soup, is the other version of Vietnamese pho. It consists of chopped or shredded free-range chicken, chicken broth, rice noodles, and topped with chopped scallion and thinly sliced lime leaves.
What Makes Pho Special?
The broth is what making pho special, and a good pho depends first and foremost on the quality of the broth. It’s the difference between a bad homemade pho and a good pho, a normal pho restaurant and really good one. So, if one knows how to make a good broth, then everything else is just a matter of getting the pho ingredients from the markets.
Pho is not pho without its broth, it’s the vital element that gives pho its life and soul. If you can enjoy the pho broth wholeheartedly, then the rest of the ingredients in the bowl will be enjoyable and you will want to slurp up to the last drops.
How to cook a quick Pho at home?
The traditional recipe is a time-consuming process that involves simmering roasted beef bones, meat, and spices in broth for several hours to extract all the flavors and nutrients.
The good news is that there’s a simpler and quicker way to make delicious pho at at home. By using a combination of store-bought beef and chicken broth simmered with onions, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise, you can make a fragrant broth that’s reminiscent of traditional pho.
Some basic Pho ingredients:
1. PHO Rice Noodle
2. Broth: can use ready-to-cook broth or buy a bag of Pho seasonings
3. Meat: Beef/Chicken in slices
4. Condiments like chilli sauce and herbs like onions, bean sprout..
This savory, satisfying pho can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it a convenient and healthy option for busy weeknights !
