Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup. It’s made with 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.
While pho is a customizable soup, there are basically two main types in Vietnamese culture: northern and southern.
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 variety 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.
Noodles may differ from restaurant to restaurant, but all are made from rice flour.
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 be on your tastebuds as well. The soup 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 soup 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.
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.