Authentic Vietnamese Pho Noodle Soup Recipe: A Warm and Inviting Delight

A warm, fragrant bowl of comfort made right at home.

🕒 Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Cook Time: 2 hours (traditional method) or 45 minutes (with pressure cooker)

• Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins

• Servings: 4 bowls

• Difficulty: Moderate

🧄 Ingredients

For the Broth

• 1 kg beef bones (or chicken carcass for chicken pho)

• 1 large onion, halved

• 1 piece fresh ginger (about 5 cm), sliced in half

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4 whole star anise

• 4 whole cloves

• 1 tbsp coriander seeds

• 1 tbsp fish sauce

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp beef stock

• 3 litres water

For the Noodles & Protein

• 400 g flat rice noodles

• 300 g thinly sliced beef sirloin or cooked chicken breast

For Garnish & Serving

• Thinly sliced red chilli Spring onions, finely chopped

• Thinly sliced onion

• Hoisin sauce and Sriracha (optional)

• Fresh coriander leaves

• Fresh Thai basil leaves

• Bean sprouts
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

🔪 Directions

1. Char the aromatics — Place onion and ginger directly over an open flame or under the oven grill until lightly charred. This adds smoky depth to your broth.

2. Toast the spices — In a dry pan, gently toast cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Simmer the broth — Add bones (or chicken carcass), toasted spices, charred aromatics, fish sauce, salt, sugar, beef stock and water to a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for at least 2 hours (or 45 minutes in a pressure cooker).

4. Skim the surface — Occasionally skim off foam and impurities for a clear, golden broth.

5. Strain and taste — Strain the broth, discard solids, and taste. Adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or salt if needed.

6. Prepare the noodles — Cook rice noodles according to package instructions, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

7. Assemble your pho — Divide noodles into bowls, top with slices of beef or chicken, pour hot broth over the top to gently cook the meat.

8. Garnish and serve — Add bean sprouts, chili, lime juice, and herbs. Serve immediately with hoisin and Sriracha on the side.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This comforting soup is perfect for family dinners, cozy winter nights, or recovery meals when someone needs a nourishing boost.
Serve alongside fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, pickled vegetables, or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
Pair it with iced jasmine tea or Vietnamese iced coffee for an authentic touch.

💡 Tips for Best Results

• For clear broth, avoid rapid boiling — let it gently simmer.

• For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and tofu instead of meat.

• Make broth ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days (it actually tastes better the next day).

🧘‍♀️ Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~420 kcal

• Protein: 35 g

• Fat: 12 g

• Carbohydrates: 40 g

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sodium: 780 mg