A Vietnamese soup made from beef stock, spices, and noodles, pho has gained tremendous popularity amongst people of all heritages. This beloved staple of Vietnamese cuisine requires patience and practice, and can be a bit of an enigma to prepare. To provide some insight, here is a look at the process of preparing pho. 

Vietnamese Cuisine 101: Preparing Pho

1. Start With the Broth

The key to any successful pho lies in its broth. However, there’s no one perfect formula for creating a good pho broth; it often comes down to personal taste and tradition.  That said, there are a few common elements that go into most pho recipes, including yellow onions, ginger, beef bones, star anise, fish sauce, cloves, yellow rock sugar, and salt.

2. The Boiling Process

Most pho recipes will call for two stockpots of boiling water. The beef bones are typically boiled in one pot on high heat to remove any impurities. A second stockpot is typically left to simmer for an hour and a half, after which spices are added. Next, onions and ginger will typically be charred over an open flame and star anise and cloves will be toasted lightly in a pan before each of these items are put in the pot. After the ninety minutes is up, boneless beef chunks are removed and the remaining broth will continue to simmer for approximately another ninety minutes. The broth is then strained and seasoned with fish sauce, salt, and rock sugar and should be free of impurities. It’s important to remember that recipes will vary depending on personal taste, and guests are free to season the pho as they see fit.

3. Consider the Timing Required

One of the main reasons many people never make their own Vietnamese cuisine such as pho is because of the time commitment required. While some recommend a minimum of three total hours to simmer the broth, other chefs call for up to 12 hours or more. The reasoning behind the time-consuming boiling process is that it takes awhile for the marrow in the bones to dissolve into the water. There are no shortcuts here, as a harder and faster boil will disrupt the flavor. Fortunately, for those who don’t have the time or patience to make pho on their own, a great alternative is to enjoy it at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant.

If you’re looking to enjoy a delicious pho soup, look no further than Pho' Vietnam in Anchorage, AK. This delicious Vietnamese restaurant offers everything from authentic Thai cuisine to a delicious Vietnamese lunch and dinner menu. To make a reservation or place a carry-out order, give them a call today at (907) 929-9938 or visit their website to view their delicious Vietnamese cuisine.