From the Streets of Vietnam to Your Kitchen: Pho Soup Recipes to Try

 

From the Streets of Vietnam to Your Kitchen: Pho Soup Recipes to Try

Pho soup is a popular Vietnamese dish that has gained popularity around the world. It is a hearty and comforting soup that is made with rice noodles, broth, meat, and spices. The dish has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century when it was first introduced in Hanoi. Today, you can find Pho soup in many Vietnamese restaurants around the world, but it is also a great dish to make at home. In this article, we will share some Pho soup recipes that you can try in your kitchen.

What is Pho Soup?

Before we get to the recipes, let's talk about what Pho soup is. Pho soup is a Vietnamese soup that is typically made with beef or chicken broth, rice noodles, and a variety of herbs and spices. The soup is often served with beef or chicken slices, and it is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine.

The History of Pho Soup

Pho soup has a long and interesting history. It is believed that Pho soup originated in Hanoi in the early 20th century. At that time, Vietnam was a French colony, and the French introduced beef to the country. The Vietnamese people started using beef bones to make broth, and they added rice noodles and spices to create Pho soup. Today, Pho soup is a popular street food in Vietnam, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages.

Ingredients for Pho Soup

Pho soup is a relatively simple dish, but it requires a few key ingredients. Here are the ingredients you will need to make Pho soup:

• Beef or chicken bones
• Rice noodles
• Spices (cinnamon, star anise, cloves, coriander seeds, cardamom pods)
• Fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint)
• Meat (beef or chicken)
• Bean sprouts
• Lime
• Fish sauce

Pho Soup Recipes to Try

Here are some Pho soup recipes that you can try in your kitchen:

Traditional Beef Pho Soup

Ingredients

• 4-5 pounds of beef bones
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 ginger, sliced
• 3 star anise
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 5 cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 pound rice noodles
• Bean sprouts
• Thai basil
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Lime
• Fish sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the beef bones on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
2. In a large pot, add the roasted beef bones, onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, and cardamom pods. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-4 hours.
3. Strain the broth and discard the solids. Season the broth with fish sauce to taste.
4. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
5. Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Top with sliced beef sirloin and pour hot broth over the top.
6. Serve with bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, mint, lime, and fish sauce.

Chicken Pho Soup

Ingredients

• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 ginger, sliced
• 3 star anise
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 5 cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 2 cardamom
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 pound rice noodles
• Bean sprouts
• Thai basil
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Lime
• Fish sauce

• Instructions

  1. In a large pot, add the onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, and cardamom pods. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
  2. Remove the solids and discard them. Season the broth with fish sauce to taste.
  3. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
  4. Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Top with sliced chicken and pour hot broth over the top.
  5. Serve with bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, mint, lime, and fish sauce.

  Vegetarian Pho Soup

  Ingredients

• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 ginger, sliced
• 3 star anise
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 5 cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 2 cardamom pods
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 pound rice noodles
• Tofu, sliced
• Bean sprouts
• Thai basil
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Lime
• Soy sauce

• Instructions

  1. In a large pot, add the onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, and cardamom pods. Cover with vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove the solids and discard them. Season the broth with soy sauce to taste.
  3. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
  4. Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Top with sliced tofu and pour hot broth over the top.
  5. Serve with bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, mint, lime, and soy sauce.

  Conclusion

  Pho soup is a delicious and comforting dish that is easy to make at home. With a few key ingredients and some spices, you can create a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for any occasion. Try these Pho soup recipes in your kitchen and enjoy a taste of Vietnam.

  FAQs

  1. What is the origin of Pho soup?

  • Pho soup originated in Hanoi, Vietnam in the early 20th century.

  2. What are the key ingredients in Pho soup?

  • The key ingredients in Pho soup are beef or chicken bones, rice noodles, spices, fresh herbs, meat, bean sprouts, lime, and fish sauce.

  3. Can I make vegetarian Pho soup?

  • Yes, you can make vegetarian Pho soup by using vegetable broth and tofu instead of meat.

  4. How do I store leftover Pho soup?

  • You can store leftover Pho soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

  5. Is Pho soup gluten-free?

  • Pho soup is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free rice noodles and gluten-free soy sauce (if using soy sauce instead of fish sauce).