Vietnamese Pho

10 servings

25 minutes

Vietnamese Pho is a legendary dish that embodies the soul of Vietnamese cuisine. Its origin is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that this aromatic soup emerged in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century. The key to its perfection is a rich, spicy broth made from beef or chicken bones with the addition of star anise, coriander, and ginger. Pho captivates with the tenderness of rice noodles, the sweetness of shrimp, and the freshness of herbs. A light tang of lime and the depth of fish sauce make its flavor harmonious and rich. This soup is served hot by pouring boiling broth over thinly sliced ingredients — this is how its true taste unfolds. Pho not only warms but also offers a gastronomic journey to the heart of Vietnam.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 251.1
• Proteins: 30.5g
• Fats: 7.9g
• Carbohydrates: 13.8g

Ingredients

• Fresh cilantro (coriander): to taste
• Anise (star anise): to taste
• Lean beef: 1 kg
• Cumin seeds (jeera): to taste
• Fresh ginger: 1 pc
• Coriander seeds: to taste
• Garlic: 1 head
• Onion: 1 head
• Green onions: to taste
• Lemon: 1 pc
• Shrimps: 300 g
• White cabbage: 200 g
• Frozen green peas: 100 g
• Green beans (frozen): 100 g
• Fish sauce: to taste
• Carrot: 200 g
• Soy sauce: to taste
• Red chili pepper: 1 pc

Cooking steps

1. So, we cook a strong beef/chicken broth, recommended to simmer for at least 3 hours on low heat (make a lot at once, then partially freeze and save for future meals).

   Required ingredients:

   • Lean beef: 1 kg

2. Add ginger root, star anise (optional), roasted cumin and coriander seeds to the broth. Instead of salt, add fish sauce.

   Required ingredients:

   • Fresh ginger: 1 piece
   • Anise (star anise):  to taste
   • Cumin seeds (jeera):  to taste
   • Coriander seeds:  to taste
   • Fish sauce:  to taste

3. Five minutes before serving the soup, pour the required amount of broth into a separate pot.

4. Add rice noodles and shrimp to the boiling broth.

   Required ingredients:

   • Shrimps: 300 g

5. At the very end, we add finely chopped cabbage, bring to a boil, and immediately pour into portions.

   Required ingredients:

   • White cabbage: 200 g

6. Pre-frozen green beans and pea pods are soaked in hot water, carrots and onions are cut into thin strips, green onions are finely chopped, a couple of cm of ginger root is grated, garlic is minced, and cilantro is chopped. All of this is portioned onto plates and poured with boiling shrimp broth with noodles and cabbage.

   Required ingredients:

   • Green beans (frozen): 100 g
   • Frozen green peas: 100 g
   • Carrot: 200 g
   • Onion: 1 head
   • Green onions:  to taste
   • Fresh ginger: 1 piece
   • Garlic: 1 head
   • Fresh cilantro (coriander):  to taste

7. Add lemon or lime juice to the broth, soy sauce can be added to taste.

   Required ingredients:

   • Lemon: 1 piece
   • Soy sauce:  to taste