Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
One can easily say that Phở (pronounced [fəː˧˩˧]) is the most loved noodle soup amongst the hundred different styles of noodle soup in Vietnam. At first glance it looks almost too bland. The broth is clear with a light amber color. The noodle used in Phở is rice noodle which is white. Some slices of meat, beef or chicken cover most of the noodle. And some herbs garnish on top of the bowl. It is the moment you sit at the table of a Phở vendor with a sizzling hot bowl of Phở in front of you taking the strong hits of dozen herb and spices coming straight to your nose, you are in a different world: a world of savoring flavors that marry in harmony with different cuts of meat and soft rice noodle. Having Phở for breakfast is almost a religious routine to the Phở-addicts who can have the dish for every meal of the day if they can get away with that.
The origin of Phở is not surely known. What we know is that Phở became more and more popular during the first half of last century in the North of Vietnam. In the mid-century it was brought along with the families relocating to the South. Phở-fever then crossed the whole country and became national culinary treasure. Because the broth is the core of Phở, it‘s hard to find two vendors with identical Phở broth as everyone tries to outshine the others with their signature broth and special ways to treat meat cuts.
The origin of Phở is not surely known. What we know is that Phở became more and more popular during the first half of last century in the North of Vietnam. In the mid-century it was brought along with the families relocating to the South. Phở-fever then crossed the whole country and became national culinary treasure. Because the broth is the core of Phở, it‘s hard to find two vendors with identical Phở broth as everyone tries to outshine the others with their signature broth and special ways to treat meat cuts.
Phở started as a simple bowl of noodle soup with different beef cuts and the infamous rich broth. Later on, chicken meat was added to Phở family with much lighter broth and taste yet remaining satisfying just the same way. There are also other recipes inspired by Phở main ingredients and have been accepted into the Phở family as the quirky ones. To name a few, there are Phở xào lăn (Stir fried Phở), Phở sốt vang (Phở stew in red wine and tomatoes, a French influenced recipe), Phở cuốn (Phở in spring rolls style).
You are heartily invited to hear more about the Phở's story in detail and learn how to make not only your perfect Phở noodle soup but also the others Phở recipes in our next cooking workshop in April.
Text: Nga Burger-Nguyen
Photo resources in the article from left to right: AmersPHO, Savourydays, Kokotaru and TheRibbonCafe
You are heartily invited to hear more about the Phở's story in detail and learn how to make not only your perfect Phở noodle soup but also the others Phở recipes in our next cooking workshop in April.
Text: Nga Burger-Nguyen
Photo resources in the article from left to right: AmersPHO, Savourydays, Kokotaru and TheRibbonCafe