Pho is a type of soup that is widely popular among soup lovers around the world. Vietnamese bone broth contains noodles, meat, and various types of vegetables and herbs, providing consumers with spoonfuls of flavor all at once.
From its origins to popular variations, learn about the essence of Vietnam’s national dish and how to take your pho experience to new heights.
What is Pho?
Pho, pronounced “fu”, is Vietnam’s national dish and is believed to have its origins in the northern regions of Vietnam in the late 19th or early 20th century.
“Pho is a slow-simmered soup, usually cooked with beef bones, and served with rice noodles, a protein (such as beef, chicken, or vegetable protein), and toppings,” Food Network says.
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Lanzhou beef noodles from Zhi Wei Cafe. (John Turmacchi/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
For many Americans, pho is synonymous with Vietnamese cuisine. But beyond the noodles, soup, and various toppings, this dish encapsulates a more complex culinary story.
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What is the secret ingredient in pho?
The key to an authentic pho soup lies in the combination of beef or chicken bones, charred onions, ginger, and a blend of spices such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon.
Simmered for hours, this soup captures the essence of pho, creating a rich, flavorful base that sets this iconic dish apart. However, there are countless local and regional variations of this dish.
Woman cooking Vietnamese traditional pho chicken noodle soup in a street restaurant. (Godon/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
For example, according to Food Republic, pho from northern Vietnam tends to have a clear soup, while soup from southern Vietnam is cloudy and sweet.
“Ultimately, I think the best and most reliable secret ingredient for pho should already be present in a typical pho recipe: use the right amount of spices and season with good technique. Beyond that, the surest way to ensure a good pho soup is to use the right pho soup: the amount of beef bones, perhaps the addition of oxtail, and the right amount of time and technique to make the soup. ”, according to lavingpho.com.
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What is your most popular Pho dish?
There are many variations of pho, but beef (pho bo) and chicken (pho ga) remain the most popular.
1. Forbo
The beef used in pho bo is usually served medium rare and further cooked in hot broth. Beef options include flank steak, brisket, beef tendon, meatballs, and flavorful fatty cuts.
Vietnamese soup noodles originated in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. (John S. Lander/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
2. Four Ga
For this simple chicken soup, add chicken to the soup and mix in vegetables, basil, bean sprouts, chili peppers, green onions, and cilantro.
Both soups feature hoisin sauce, a sweet and spicy condiment made from chili sauce, lime, soy, sugar, garlic, and vinegar.
How to order and eat pho for beginners?
“The best way to eat piping hot pho is with chopsticks in one hand and a soup spoon in the other,” says lovingpho.com.
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You can customize your pho adventure by experimenting with condiments like lime, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha. With each careful sip and bite, you’ll unravel the art of this Vietnamese cuisine.
“Traditional Vietnamese etiquette requires that you only use chopsticks and a large spoon when eating pho. To keep the soup warm, avoid lifting the bowl off the table and lean forward in your chair to make sure all Savor the flavor,” according to phogavang.com.
