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Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Vietnamese Phở (Noodle Soup)

Aromatic beef broth infused with roasted bones, warm spices, and brisket, served over rice noodles with thin beef slices and fresh herbs.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Vietnamese
Servings 4
Calories 435 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven​
  • Baking sheet
  • Large stockpot
  • Fine mesh sieve
  • Skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Saucepan
  • Serving bowls​

Ingredients
  

For the Broth:

  • 1.5 kg beef bones marrow and knuckle
  • 500 g beef brisket
  • 1 large onion halved
  • 1 piece of ginger 5 cm, halved
  • 5 star anise
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 cardamom pods
  • 6 cloves
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Noodles and Toppings:

  • 400 g flat rice noodles bánh phở
  • 250 g beef sirloin thinly sliced
  • Bean sprouts
  • Fresh herbs Thai basil, cilantro, mint
  • 2 spring onions thinly sliced
  • 2 limes cut into wedges
  • 1 red chili thinly sliced
  • Hoisin sauce and Sriracha optional

Instructions
 

  • To begin, preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F). Arrange the beef bones, onion, and ginger on a baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until the bones are browned, and the onion and ginger are slightly charred. This step deepens the flavour of the broth.
  • Transfer the roasted bones, onion, and ginger to a large stockpot. Fill the pot with 4 litres of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface. Simmer for 3 hours to extract maximum flavour.
  • While the broth simmers, toast the star anise, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and coriander seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Add these spices to the broth for an aromatic base. Continue simmering for an additional hour.
  • Add the beef brisket to the simmering broth during the last 60 minutes of cooking. This will cook the brisket while infusing the broth with its richness. Remove the brisket and set it aside to cool before slicing thinly.
  • After 4 hours of simmering, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot to remove solids. Add fish sauce, sugar, and salt to season the broth. Taste and adjust the seasoning, balancing the savoury, sweet, and salty flavours characteristic of Phở.
  • Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Divide the noodles among four serving bowls.
  • Arrange the sliced beef sirloin, brisket, and desired toppings (bean sprouts, fresh herbs, spring onions, and chili) over the noodles. Pour the hot broth over the ingredients in each bowl, ensuring the beef is slightly cooked by the heat of the broth.
  • Serve the Phở immediately, accompanied by lime wedges, Hoisin sauce, and Sriracha for individual customization. Encourage diners to add fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness. For an authentic touch, pair the soup with a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee or jasmine tea.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 42gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 1094mgPotassium: 834mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 194IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 5mg
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