What’s not to love about a bowl full of slurpy noodles?

This Vietnamese noodle soup is easier than you might think.

I was a little bit nervous about attempting this recipe. I love this soup so much and I’ve always wanted to make it at home but I felt like I might be disappointed with my own home cooked result. After making it, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was it pretty easy – it had all the flavor that I was hoping for. 

Have you ever wondered what the key is to making a flavorful and delicious pho tai?

I used the recipe featured in Eat Real Vietnamese Food by Lien Nguyen.

This cookbook is a collection of traditional Vietnamese recipes that are fantastic! I love finding recipes that make me feel like I have an inside seat in someone’s family kitchen. This book definitely checks that box.

Phó should have a nice clear broth that tastes clean and fresh while offering a rich beef flavor that is infused with subtle spices. The foundation of this traditional Vietnamese soup is a stock made from either short ribs or beef knuckle bones. The spices are what then give phó it’s distinctive flavor.

When served the hot broth is poured over a generous helping of rice noodles.

The steak is cooked in the steaming hot broth.

The steaming hot broth cooks the steak to a rare to medium rare temperature.

Raw steak that is sliced exceptionally thin is added to the bowl along with a few sliced onions. Phó is usually served with a helping of bean sprouts, fresh Thai basil, lime, and jalapeños. Although it is debated whether or not this is traditional, for me an absolutely necessary part of eating phó is the inclusion of Sriracha.

I like my pho on the extra spicy side. Bring on the Sriracha.

I’m a true believer in the magical healing properties of soup – Especially chicken Noodle Soup.

Phó Gá is one of my favorite versions of chicken noodle soup. Once you give the traditional beef version a try, the chicken version should be next on your list.

Phó Tai

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Laura

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

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Ingredients

Stock

• 2 lbs Braising Beef Short Ribs, Beef Knuckle, or Oxtail
• 5 large Onions peeled
• 1 bunch Cilantro stalks and leaves divided
• 1-2 Star Anise
• 1-2 Black Cardamom Nut
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• 1 4 inch piece Fresh Ginger
• Scallions
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fish Sauce
• Mushroom Seasoning
• White Vinegar
• Lemon
• Chili Pepper
• 1 lb Lean Beef
• 12 ounces Rice Sticks Banh pho

Toppings

• Bean Sprouts
• Basil
• Limes
• Jalapeños

Instructions

1. Add braising beef to a large stock pot and cover with water. 

2. Add 4 of the peeled onions and the cilantro stalks. 

3. Bring to a boil. Maintain heat at a vigorous boil. This allows the scum to come to the surface. 

4. Skim off the top of the broth to ensure that is stays clear. 

5. Once there is no more scum coming to the topic reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 hours. 

6. Place the aromatics, the star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger in a cloth or cheese cloth bag so that they can be easily removed later. 

7. Let the aromatics steep in the simmering broth unit the flavors are infused into the broth. Let the aromatics steep according to taste. Don't let the flavors get too strong. 

8. Cook the rice sticks according to directions. Set aside. 

9. Freeze beef for about an hour. Slice thinly. 

10. Thinly slice beef can be cooked in hot broth before serving or immedietely before. 

11. Slice remaining onion into thin slices. Add to bowl immediately before adding hot broth. 

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