Viet Hapa Pho Recipe on Food52 (2024)

One-Pot Wonders

by: Furey and the Feast

October27,2009

0 Ratings

  • Serves 6

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Author Notes

In an attempt to connect to the Vietnamese side of my family, I've studied my mother's pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup, to come up with my own. It may not be authentic (as in, prepared by a full-blooded Vietnamese), but its intentions are good. —Furey and the Feast

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: Furey & the Feast is a food blogger, writer and copy editor hailing from Southern California. Her food is often inspired by her Italian and Vietnamese roots, and is always hunger-inducing.
WHAT: A perfectly rich and layered version of pho.
HOW: A straightforward beef bone-based broth is the foundation of Furey & the Feast's noodle soup. It is made deeply aromatic by the addition of charred ginger and onions, a cinnamon stick, star anise, bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns, and fish sauce .
WHY WE LOVE IT: Whether or not this dish recalls childhood memories as it does for Furey, it's as flavorful and soul-feeding as any chicken noodle we've ever encountered.
—The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • For the soup
  • 2 medium yellow onions, halved
  • 1 4-inch piece of ginger, quartered
  • 6 poundsbeef bones
  • 1 poundoxtail
  • 5 quartswater
  • 1/2 cupfish sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoonblack peppercorns
  • 3 pieces star anise
  • 6 cloves, whole
  • 2 tablespoonsbrown sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 packetrice sticks (pho noodles)
  • 1/2 poundbeef tenderloin, thinly sliced
  • Garnishes
  • Bean sprouts
  • Cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Thai basil
Directions
  1. Over the open flame of a burner, char onion and ginger halves until fragrant and blackened.
  2. In a 10 to 12-quart stockpot, place beef bones, onion, ginger and oxtail. Cover with 5 quarts of cold water (bones should be completely covered. If not, add more water).
  3. Bring beef bones and water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1-1/2 hours, skimming all impurities from bones that float to the surface.
  4. Add cinnamon stick, star anise, bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns, fish sauce and sugar to broth. Continue to simmer for another 1-1/2 to 2 hours, skimming surface of broth as needed.
  5. Taste broth. Depending on how much marrow is in the bones you use, you may need to simmer for longer and reduce the liquid to get that full-bodied beef taste. Remove bones and spices from broth. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. (This is an optional step.) When broth is to your liking, cool broth and place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, take pot out of fridge and skim fat off of surface of broth.
  7. To assemble: Reheat broth to a boil. Soak pho noodles in a bowl of water until soft. Drain.
  8. Heat water in a 4- to 5-quart pot. When water comes to a boil, add soaked noodles. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until noodles are soft. Drain, and portion noodles into bowls.
  9. Place thinly sliced raw tenderloin on top of noodles. Ladle broth over meat and noodles. Top with garnishes and serve hot.

Tags:

  • Soup
  • Vietnamese
  • Anise
  • Clove
  • Beef
  • Grains
  • One-Pot Wonders
  • Entree
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14 Reviews

Melissa C. February 6, 2016

The broth for this is presently simmering on my stovetop. I can't begin to describe how incredible it smells in here. I'm confident that this will be my secret weapon in defeating this year's iteration of The Pestilence.

Furey A. June 21, 2015

Hello, William!
Thanks for reading. To answer your question, my family does not use lemongrass in the pho broth recipe--we use it in other things like shaken beef. We're from South Vietnam, so I wonder if there are other regions that use lemongrass?

william W. June 18, 2015

My family and I have been in love with Vietnamese cuisine for years. I have made pho before to fairly good success. Since I am not Vietnamese I have tried to stay as orthodox as possible in my preparations. I am wondering with your recipe do ever use lemon grass? And if not is that a regional addition? Please clue me in... Thanks in advance

Furey A. February 20, 2014

Procrastibaker: Thanks so much for your comment, and for trying the recipe!

procrastibaker February 19, 2014

I crave pho all the time, no matter what, so I made the broth for this on my long weekend and tonight we sat down for our first-ever homemade bowls of pho. It was delicious! I let the broth simmer for two hours after adding the spices, etc, but I wish I had had the time to let it go even longer, because I found myself craving a stronger beef flavor. However, I couldn't be more pleased with the flavors and the way they worked together, and now I know for my next round to be sure all the wonderful marrow has had time to work its magic. Thanks for a new favorite weekend cooking project!

Sabine G. September 4, 2013

My husband made this last week and as we were eating it, we scheduled it again for this weeks menu! So delicious, easy to prepare, and refreshing! I'm from the Seattle area and Pho restaurants are everywhere. Currently living in Southern Spain, I was having some major withdrawals! This hit the spot. Thanks for the excellent recipe. It'll be one of our go-to soups!

Furey A. March 21, 2013

Hi cobe! "Hapa" is actually a term I identify with: It's a term for a person who's of mixed Asian descent. I'm Vietnamese, but also Italian and Irish, so I'm most definitely a Hapa. So since this recipe is Vietnamese with some western influences, it's fitting. :)

cobe March 19, 2013

Sounds like a pretty legit recipe. Just curious though: what is "Hapa" and where did it come from?

stephanieRD September 8, 2012

I'm making this today! And it's perfect because it's a rainy day...the smell is out-of-this-world! I omitted oxtail because my butcher didn't have any on hand. Hoping it will turn out ok with just the beef bones! I am so excited to taste the final product for dinner tonight!

gr8chefmb March 11, 2012

This sounds absolutely yummy!

yevgenia March 11, 2012

i ate pho in hanoi. the best experience in vietnam. you sitting on small chairs on a street and enjoying this very simple soup so much!

FWK March 9, 2012

I have been making Pho quite a bit recently. After doing some research I find that one of the keys is to use quality ingredients, especially the fish sauce (3 Crabs or Flying Lion) and I use marrow bones cut about 2" long for the stock. For the finished bowl I really like fresh rice noodles, and tri-tip works well for the beef.
I am also able to get Vietnamese cilantro (sawtooth) from a local Asian market. I also like siracha sauce as well.
What really sets this off are all the great aromatics.

krusher March 9, 2012

After living in Saigon fro 12 months during the war, I came to love Pho, my healing all-things-to-my-heart-and-soul remedy and delight (as chicken soup is to many). This recipe is the real deal! Thank you for this. Today I will cook the broth slow and long while I am devising and refining my celery challenge entry - the finished Viet Hapa Pho will be my reward. So much to look forward to.

susan G. January 18, 2011

I hope you will post more recipes from your Vietnamese side. I'd love to peek into your mother's kitchen!

Viet Hapa Pho Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in pho? ›

Sa sung—dried peanut worms—have been described as the secret ingredient of great pho.

Should I put an egg in my pho? ›

Adding raw eggs to soup or pho is a practice that serves both cultural and culinary purposes. Here are some potential benefits: 1. Texture and Creaminess: Raw eggs contribute a silky and creamy texture to the soup when they are beaten and stirred in.

What does pho mean in Vietnamese? ›

Pho is a type of Vietnamese soup that usually consists of bone broth, rice noodles, spices, and thinly sliced meat (usually beef). Though “pho” technically refers to the noodles and not the soup itself, most people consider the dish a singular unit.

What is the most basic pho? ›

Easy choices: pho bo or pho ga.

There really are 2 types of pho, beef and chicken. You want to decide which pho you want. The default is always pho bo.

What makes pho unhealthy? ›

The one thing to be extra conscientious with pho is that it's very high in sodium, which can cause increased blood pressure and contribute to cardiovascular issues. 1 (Some bowls have more than 1,000 mg, which is practically the entire allotment of recommended sodium intake for the day.)

What does pho do to your body? ›

Pho is nutritious and is high in protein, but does have high sodium and calories. It may help reduce inflammation and improve joint health. Pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a hearty Vietnamese soup usually made with a meaty broth, rice noodles, various herbs, and either beef, chicken, or tofu.

Is it rude to not finish pho? ›

It is similar to a very typical situation, when you are on eating table with Vietnamese, people usually avoid to eat the final piece of any food. This is because of the fact that we are taught to care about others when eating, leave some for them instead of eating as much as we want.

Is it OK to drink pho broth? ›

Thirdly, it is important to remember that the broth of pho is the show's star and should be appreciated. Don't rush through your meal – take your time to savor all the flavors and enjoy every sip of the soup.

What is the name of the sauce in pho? ›

In Vietnamese, hoisin sauce is called tương đen. It is a popular condiment for phở, a Vietnamese noodle soup, in southern Vietnam.

What does Nguyen mean? ›

Nguyen is the most common surname in Vietnam and among the top 100 last names in the United States, Australia, and France. Meaning "musical instrument" and actually rooted in Chinese, Nguyen is an interesting name that you'll encounter throughout the world. Alternate spellings include Nyguyen, Ruan, Yuen, and Yuan.

What is the national dish of Vietnam? ›

Pho - the reputable Vietnamese national dish. What would a culinary tour be without Pho - the renowned Vietnamese national dish? Like the majority of well-known Vietnamese dishes, pho began in modest circ*mstances. There are still many unknowns regarding Pho's history.

What is the national food of Vietnam? ›

Pho is the national dish of Vietnam and is sold everywhere from nice restaurants to street corners where grandmothers set up makeshift kitchens. For this version, all of the components—noodles, beef brisket broth, herbs, chiles—are served separately.

What kind of steak for pho? ›

Top choices for beef pho are sirloin steak, round eye, or London broil. All of these are quick-cooking pieces of beef that won't leave you chewing for hours. My favorite of the bunch is round eye, which is what I've used today — this cut is leaner than sirloin and I like its beefy flavor, especially in this pho.

Is pho good for teeth? ›

Rich in calcium, iron, and phosphorus, the ingredients in a bowl of pho are essential for maintaining healthy dentin and tooth enamel, and some advocates claim it can even aid in the remineralization of teeth.

What meat is best in pho? ›

This is our number-one pick for pho for flavor, texture, and price. Despite being a lean and fibrous cut, flank steak has an intense meaty flavor. For maximum tenderness, be sure to slice flank steak against the grain.

What gives pho its distinct flavor? ›

Broth - the soul of Pho. Beef bones play a crucial role in influencing the quality of the broth. Combined with spices such as ginger, charred onions, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and coriander seeds, the broth gains a distinct aroma.

What is the distinct flavor in pho? ›

Outside of the meat, the basic flavors of pho are pretty simple: charred onions and ginger (or a bit of sweetness, smoky depth, and pungency), star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and occasionally other spices (for aroma), fish sauce (for salt and its savory umami qualities), sugar (for sweetness, duh), and a slew of stir-in ...

What gives pho its smell? ›

Black cardamom, a seedpod about the size of an olive pit, gives pho its savory depth. The spice smells of menthol and smoke, and it imparts a surprisingly earthy aroma. Another pho signature spice, star anise, is a brown eight-pointed pod that lends a hint of licorice to the broth.

What makes pho smell so good? ›

Star anise, cloves, and cinnamon are the aromatic trinity in traditional pho stock. Try adding a few whole spices to the store-bought stuff, along with fresh ginger and a glug of fish sauce.

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