Vietnamese Pho is a complex noodle soup, and yet fairly easy to make. It is a remarkably rich, filling and satisfying dish. Asian countries are famous for their noodle soups, of course, and this spicy delight is yet another example of why.
Vietnamese Pho (Noodle Soup) Recipe-
Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
Directions:
- In a 6 quart cooking pot over high heat, bring 2 to 3 quarts of water to a vigorous, rolling boil. Add in the rice noodles and stir well to separate them. Cook until the are fully softened all the way through. About 3 to 4 minutes should do it. Cut off the heat, cover the pot with its lid, and allow to stand in the hot water as you continue your preparations. Note: You may want to stir the noodles now and then, to keep them from sticking together.
- Using a fork, poke the meat all over, both sides, to tenderize it; season with salt and pepper.
- Place another pot, large and wide bottomed, on the burner over high heat. Put 2 tablespoons of the scallion infused olive oil in the pot, and jiggle the pot to distribute the oil evenly across the bottom. Sear the meat until still rare on the inside, but nicely charred on the outside – 2 to 2-1/2 minutes per side should be plenty. Transfer to a plate, tent the meat with tin foil to keep warm,and set aside for now.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion and ginger halves into the pot, and cook, stirring and turning the halves now and then, for about 4 minutes.
- Next, add in 6 cups of broth, the cinnamon stick and the star anise. Lower the heat to just a simmer, and gently cook for 20 to 25 minutes.
- While the soup is cooking, chop the green onions into small pieces, and mince the Thai chili peppers. Note: if you like super hot and spicy, leave the seeds in. For less heat, remove the seeds.
- Slice the steak into thin, bite sized pieces, cutting across the grain. Place the slices back on the plate and tent the meat with foil again, to keep warm.
- Add the fish sauce and the minced Thai peppers into the broth, bring the heat back up to high, and boil 5 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon stick, ginger, and star anise. Pull the onion halves out, and crosscut them, dividing into sliver moon pieces.
- Drain the noodles.
- To server your Vietnamese Pho, divide the noodles equally into 4 serving bowls. Ladle over the noodles a generous portion of the broth. Lastly, add to each serving some beef slices, bean sprouts, chopped green onions and cooked and sliced white onions. Garnish with a sprinkling of chopped fresh cilantro.
Note: For more delicious recipes from Vietnam, click here.
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I married a Vietnamese woman and can attest to their sumptuous, spicy, satisfying soups. This one looks very similar to one she makes often, but with pork for the meat. I think I will suggest we try the medium rare beef, it satisfies my American craving for steak, too, lol.
Jack, you must be treated to lots of yummy Vietnamese cuisine, lucky you!
Looks like a very sumptuous, savory soup. Can you use other meats with it?
Hi Barb – yes, you could use pork, the lean loin cuts would work, again sliced very thin. But traditionally lean beef is used. Chicken would not work well with this kind of marinade, in my opinion.
Looks very tasty and filling, like a wonderful comfort food for a cold day. Definitely gonna whip up a batch of this dish!
Margo, I gotta agree. I’ve made this a few times and it is a wonderful comfort food.
This is very good noodle dish. Us Koreans have our own wonderful noodle dishes too, of course. But this Belizean noodle dish looks and sounds very yummy!
I agree, Kim, Korea has some wonderful noodle dishes. And yes, this Belizean noodle dish is very yummy!
Oops! I meant to say Vietnamese, LOL
Haha, hey Kim, I meant Vietnamese too, and I wrote the post! Good grief! 😉