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RCI-ND.004.0023.001

Phở bò

Typical garnishes for phở, Saigon-Style: culantro, basil, lime, bean sprouts Along with Phở gà, could easily be called Vietnam's national dish.

Prep35 min
Cook90 min
Total125 min
Servings4
Difficultyadvanced

Ingredients

  • white onions - chopped into quarters
    2 large
  • of vegetable or peanut oil
    1 tablespoon
  • of beef bones (choose ones with a bit of meat on them)
    5 lbs
  • knob of ginger - chopped
    1 small
  • daikon (white radish) - chopped into quarters
    2 medium
  • 1 small
  • cardamom pods - whole
    2 unit
  • - whole
    4 cloves
  • Star Anise
    1 unit
  • whole black peppercorn
    1 tablespoon
  • Phở noodles (broad rice noodle) - soaked in hot water until soft and drained
    1 unit
  • Finely sliced white onion
    1 unit
  • Finely sliced scallions
    1 unit
  • Chopped coriander leaf
    1 unit
  • Finely sliced beef sirloin (ask your butcher)
    1 unit
  • Chili peppers - whole
    1 unit
  • 1 unit
  • Limes - cut into wedges
    1 unit
  • Thai Basil
    1 unit
  • Nước mắm
    1 unit
  • 1 unit
  • 1 unit
  • 1 unit

Method

1
Char the ginger and onion directly over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened on the outside, about 5 minutes, then rinse off any loose char under cold water.
7 minutes
2
Toast the cinnamon stick and black pepper in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes, then set aside.
3 minutes
3
Combine the charred ginger and onion, toasted spices, and beef bones in a large stockpot, cover with water, and bring to a boil, skimming off any foam and impurities that rise to the surface.
15 minutes
4
Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook the broth low and slow, allowing the flavors to fully develop and the liquid to become deeply aromatic.
180 minutes
5
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discard the solids, and season the clear broth with salt and a splash of fish sauce to taste.
10 minutes
6
Soak the rice noodles in cold water for 20 minutes, then cook them in a pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender, and drain well.
25 minutes
7
Divide the cooked noodles into serving bowls, top with thinly sliced raw beef, and ladle the very hot broth over the top so the heat gently cooks the beef slices.
5 minutes
8
Serve immediately alongside a plate of fresh bean sprouts and small bowls of hoisin sauce for dipping or drizzling, allowing diners to customize their bowl to taste.