Pho

 Vietnamese Pho Recipe

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup made with a flavorful broth, rice noodles, and tender meat, often garnished with fresh herbs and lime. This recipe will help you make a delicious bowl of beef pho at home.

A delicious bowl of pho 

Ingredients

For the Broth:

1 kg beef bones (marrow or knuckle bones)

500 g beef brisket (or flank steak)

1 onion (halved)

1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (sliced)

3 star anise

1 cinnamon stick

3 cloves

1 tbsp coriander seeds

1 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp salt

1 tsp sugar

3 liters water

For the Noodles & Toppings:

200 g rice noodles (banh pho)

200 g thinly sliced beef sirloin or brisket

½ cup bean sprouts

1 lime (cut into wedges)

1 red chili (sliced, optional)

½ cup fresh herbs (cilantro, Thai basil, mint)

2 green onions (chopped)

Hoisin sauce & sriracha (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Make the Broth

1. Blanch the bones and beef brisket:

In a large pot, bring 3 liters of water to a boil.

Add beef bones and brisket, and boil for 5 minutes to remove impurities.

Drain and rinse the bones and brisket under running water.

2. Char the onion and ginger:

Roast the onion and ginger in a dry pan until slightly blackened for extra flavor.

3. Simmer the broth:

In a clean pot, add the bones, brisket, onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, coriander seeds, fish sauce, salt, and sugar.

Pour in 3 liters of water and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat and simmer for 3–4 hours (the longer, the richer the broth).

Skim off any impurities from the surface.

4. Remove the brisket:

After 1.5 hours, remove the beef brisket, let it cool, then slice it thinly.

Continue simmering the broth.

5. Strain the broth:

After 3–4 hours, strain the broth to remove bones and spices.

Keep the broth hot.

2. Prepare the Noodles & Toppings

1. Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2. Prepare toppings:

Slice the beef sirloin thinly (if using raw beef, it will cook in the hot broth).

Wash and chop the fresh herbs, lime, chili, and green onions.

3. Assemble the Pho

1. Divide the cooked noodles into serving bowls.

2. Add sliced brisket and raw beef (if using raw, the broth will cook it).

3. Ladle the hot broth over the beef and noodles.

4. Top with bean sprouts, green onions, and fresh herbs.

5. Serve with lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha on the side.

A bowl of pho and sauce and lime 

Serving Tips

✅ Serve immediately while hot.

✅ Adjust flavor with more fish sauce, lime juice, or hoisin sauce.

✅ Enjoy with crispy spring rolls or fresh summer r

olls for a complete Vietnamese meal.

This homemade pho is rich, aromatic, and authentic—a perfect comfort food! Would you like to try making it?