Pho Bo

About This Recipe

Pho bo is one of the great soup dishes of the world, known for its clear broth, fragrant spices and customizable bowl of noodles, beef and herbs. The broth is where the work happens: charred onion and ginger, toasted spices like star anise and cinnamon, and a long simmer with beef bones build a deep, clean flavor that tastes both light and satisfying. The finished bowl should feel alive with contrast. Hot broth hits the noodles and slices of beef, then fresh basil, mint, lime and bean sprouts bring brightness. Pho is as much about balance as it is about richness.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 1.5 kgbeef bones
• 500 gbeef brisket
• 1onion(halved and charred)
• 1 thumbginger(charred)
• 2star anise
• 1cinnamon stick
• 3cloves
• 1 tbspcoriander seeds
• 3 tbspfish sauce
• 1 tbspsugar
• 400 grice noodles
• 200 gthinly sliced raw beef
• 2 cupsbean sprouts
• 1 bunchThai basil
• 1 bunchcilantro
• 2lime(cut into wedges)

Instructions

1. 1

   Build the broth

   Simmer bones with charred onion, ginger and spices until deeply flavored.

2. 2

   Season

   Add fish sauce and sugar, then strain the broth.

3. 3

   Cook noodles

   Prepare the rice noodles according to package directions.

4. 4

   Assemble

   Place noodles and beef in bowls, then pour over hot broth.

5. 5

   Finish

   Top with herbs, sprouts and lime.

Variations

• •

  Use chicken for pho ga.

• •

  Serve with hoisin and chili sauce on the side.

Storage

Store broth and noodles separately up to 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions