What is Pho and What Does it Taste Like?
By Leslie Radford
Key Takeaways
Variations of Pho
What does Pho Taste Like?
How We Make Pho
Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup. It’s made with a bone broth, noodles, particular vegetables, and herbs, and usually contains meat. It is a dish that is loved worldwide for its unique flavor and nutritional value.
Variations of Pho
While pho is a customizable soup, there are basically two main types in Vietnamese culture: the northern and southern pho.
Northern pho focuses more on the fat cuts that produce a fatty stock. They use blanched green onions, and the top part is used raw as a garnishing herb with cilantro, garlic, chili sauce, and quay.
The Saigon style southern pho focuses more on the refinement of the stock. It is less fatty and almost crystal clear. It’s typically topped with bean sprouts, fresh sliced chilies, a blend of herbs, and side sauces (like hoisin, sriracha, and hot chili) for additional flavor.
Pho noodles may differ from restaurant to restaurant, but all are made from rice flour.
What does Pho Taste Like?
While everyone’s idea of pho may differ, the first thing you’ll notice is its aromatic smell. And just like the savory sweetness that lingers in the air, so it will on your tastebuds as well. Pho doesn’t have a particular taste as it varies from meat to meat along with your choice of accouterments.
Your choice of sides decides what your Pho will taste like. If you add lemon to it, the taste will be a little tangy. If you add the red pepper, you are heading towards a good spicy meal. And if you add the fish sauce, the taste might be a little sour.
Any way you have it, it will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
How does Pho95 do Pho?
Pho95 uses a delicate broth infused with herbs, onions, and beef bones that is steeped for hours to create a delicious flavor. We serve our soup with rice noodles and add bean sprouts, basil, jalapeños, and lime on the side.
