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Vietnamese Pho Recipe (Authentic Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

A high-quality 3:4 food photograph of authentic Vietnamese pho served in a black ceramic bowl on a wooden table in a cozy kitchen setting, featuring cooked beef slices, rice noodles, bean sprouts, fresh basil, cilantro, green onions, jalapeño slices, and a lime wedge, with steam rising from the hot broth.

Vietnamese Pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a deeply comforting and aromatic noodle soup that has become one of the most beloved dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. This authentic Vietnamese pho recipe features a rich, slow-simmered broth infused with warm spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, combined with tender rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs. Whether you're craving a traditional Vietnamese beef pho recipe or searching for the best homemade pho soup, this guide covers everything you need.

Pho is known for its flavorful broth, delicate rice noodles, and customizable toppings such as bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, jalapeños, and hoisin sauce. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to recreate restaurant-style pho at home using simple ingredients available in USA and Europe grocery stores.

What is Vietnamese Pho?

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles (bánh phở), herbs, and meat. The heart of pho lies in the broth, which is simmered for hours with beef bones, onions, ginger, and spices to create a deeply rich and aromatic flavor.

Authentic pho is all about balance—savory, slightly sweet, aromatic, and fresh.

A high-resolution landscape image of authentic Vietnamese pho served in a ceramic bowl on a rustic wooden table, featuring rice noodles in clear broth topped with tender beef slices, fresh basil, cilantro, green onions, red chili slices, and onion rings, with bean sprouts, lime wedges, and dipping sauces on the side.
Authentic Vietnamese pho served with tender beef, silky rice noodles, aromatic herbs, and fresh toppings for a comforting bowl of classic Vietnamese noodle soup.

Why You’ll Love This Vietnamese Pho Recipe

  • Rich and Aromatic Broth – Slow-simmered beef broth infused with star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves creates deep authentic flavor.
  • Restaurant-Quality at Home – Enjoy authentic Vietnamese pho without leaving your kitchen.
  • Comforting and Satisfying – Warm broth, tender beef, and soft rice noodles make every bowl incredibly comforting.
  • Customizable Toppings – Add bean sprouts, fresh herbs, lime, jalapeños, hoisin, or sriracha to match your taste.
  • Nutritious and Balanced – Packed with protein, fresh herbs, and wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal.
  • Perfect for Meal Prep – The broth stores well, making it easy to enjoy fresh pho anytime.
  • Great for All Seasons – Ideal as a cozy winter meal or a flavorful comfort food year-round.
  • Authentic Vietnamese Flavor – Brings the bold, fresh, and aromatic taste of traditional Vietnamese cuisine to your table.

Main Ingredients For Vietnamese Pho Recipe

Beef Bones

Essential for creating a rich and collagen-packed broth.

Beef Brisket

Adds tenderness and deep beef flavor.

Rice Noodles

Traditional pho noodles with soft, chewy texture.

Fish Sauce

Adds umami and authentic Vietnamese flavor.

Star Anise & Cinnamon

Key spices for the signature pho aroma.

Fresh Herbs

Thai basil, cilantro, and green onions provide freshness.

A high-resolution landscape flat-lay image of Vietnamese pho ingredients arranged on a rustic wooden table, featuring beef bones, beef brisket, rice noodles, sirloin slices, onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, coriander seeds, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, jalapeños, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.
Fresh ingredients for authentic Vietnamese pho, featuring beef, aromatic spices, rice noodles, herbs, and classic toppings for a rich and flavorful homemade noodle soup.

How to make Vietnamese Pho Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Bones

Rinse beef bones thoroughly under cold water. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse again to remove impurities.

Why this matters: This helps create a clear broth.

Step 2: Char Onion and Ginger

Char onion and ginger directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet until slightly blackened.

This adds smoky depth to the broth.

Step 3: Toast the Spices

In a dry pan, toast:

  • Star anise
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Cardamom
  • Coriander seeds

Toast for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Simmer the Broth

In a large stockpot combine:

  • Cleaned bones
  • Brisket
  • Charred onion
  • Ginger
  • Toasted spices
  • Water

Bring to a gentle simmer.

Cook for 3–4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.

Step 5: Season the Broth

Add:

  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Fish sauce

Taste and adjust seasoning.

The broth should taste rich, balanced, and aromatic.

Step 6: Cook Rice Noodles

Cook noodles according to package instructions.

Drain and rinse with cool water.

Set aside.

Step 7: Slice Beef

Thinly slice sirloin or ribeye.

For easier slicing, freeze beef for 20 minutes first.

Step 8: Assemble Pho

Divide noodles among serving bowls.

Top with:

  • Cooked brisket slices
  • Raw thin beef slices

Pour boiling hot broth over the top.

The hot broth cooks the raw beef instantly.

Step 9: Add Toppings and Serve

Serve with:

  • Bean sprouts
  • Thai basil
  • Lime wedges
  • Jalapeños
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Sriracha

Enjoy immediately.

A landscape step-by-step collage showing how to make Vietnamese pho, featuring numbered cooking stages including preparing beef bones, charring onion and ginger, toasting spices, simmering broth, cooking rice noodles, slicing beef, assembling pho, pouring hot broth, and serving with fresh toppings.
step-by-step guide to making authentic Vietnamese pho, from preparing the aromatic broth to assembling a flavorful bowl with tender beef, rice noodles, and fresh herbs.

Substitutions for USA/Europe Grocery Stores

Finding traditional Vietnamese ingredients can be tricky, so here are easy substitutions:

Traditional IngredientSubstitute
Thai basilItalian basil + mint
Fish sauceSoy sauce + Worcestershire
Rice noodlesFlat rice noodles or vermicelli
Beef bonesSoup bones from butcher
Hoisin sauceSweet BBQ + soy sauce

These substitutions help create authentic flavor even with local ingredients.

Storage Tips

  • Store broth separately from noodles.
  • Refrigerate broth for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze broth for up to 3 months.
  • Keep fresh herbs separate until serving

Reheating Tips

Stovetop (Best Method)

Heat broth over medium heat until boiling.

Add fresh noodles and serve.

Microwave

Heat broth in microwave-safe bowl for 2–3 minutes.

Avoid microwaving herbs.

More Noodles & Soup Recipes For You

Conclusion

This Vietnamese Pho recipe brings the authentic taste of Vietnam straight to your kitchen with its rich, aromatic broth, tender beef, silky rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Every bowl is warm, comforting, and packed with deep savory flavors that make pho one of the most loved noodle soups in the world.

Whether you are making it for a cozy family dinner or exploring traditional Asian comfort food, this homemade pho delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients and easy step-by-step instructions. Once you experience the fragrant broth and customizable toppings, this Vietnamese pho recipe is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 30 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6
Calories: 420
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year
Description

This Vietnamese Pho recipe is a classic and comforting noodle soup made with a rich slow-simmered beef broth infused with aromatic spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Served with silky rice noodles, tender beef slices, and fresh herbs, this authentic Vietnamese dish delivers deep savory flavors in every bowl. Perfect for lunch or dinner, homemade pho is warm, nourishing, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings like bean sprouts, lime, jalapeños, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.

For the Broth
  • 3 lbs beef bones (marrow or knuckle bones)
  • 1 lb beef brisket
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 4 inch ginger piece
  • 5 whole star Anise
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 12 cups water
    • For Serving
  • 14 oz dried rice noodles
  • 1/2 lb sirloin or ribeye (thinly sliced)
  • Bean sprout
  • Thai Basil
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Fresh Lime
  • Jalapeños
  • green onion
  • Sriracha sauce
  • hoisin sauce
Instructions
  1. 1
    Step 1: Prepare the Bones
  2. 2
    Boil and rinse beef bones to remove impurities for a clear broth.
  3. 3
    Step 2: Char Onion and Ginger
  4. 4
    Char onion and ginger until slightly blackened for smoky flavor.
  5. 5
    Step 3: Toast the Spices
  6. 6
    Toast spices until fragrant to enhance aroma and flavor.
  7. 7
    Step 4: Simmer the Broth
  8. 8
    Cook bones, brisket, aromatics, and spices in water for several hours.
  9. 9
    Step 5: Season the Broth
  10. 10
    Add fish sauce, salt, and sugar, then adjust to taste.
  11. 11
    Step 6: Cook Rice Noodles
  12. 12
    Cook noodles until tender, then drain and set aside.
  13. 13
    Step 7: Slice Beef
  14. 14
    Thinly slice beef for quick cooking in hot broth.
  15. 15
    Step 8: Assemble Pho
  16. 16
    Place noodles and beef in bowls, then pour hot broth over.
  17. 17
    Step 9: Add Toppings and Serve
  18. 18
    Top with herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and sauces before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 420kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g22%
Sodium 950mg40%
Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Protein 32g64%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note
  • Blanch the bones first for a cleaner, clearer broth with better flavor.
  • Simmer gently, never boil rapidly, to keep the broth clear and rich.
  • Toast the spices before adding them to enhance aroma and depth of flavor
  • . Char onion and ginger well for authentic smoky flavor in the broth.
  • Slice beef thinly so it stays tender and cooks quickly in the hot broth.
  • Cook noodles separately to prevent them from becoming mushy in the soup.
  • Store broth and noodles separately for the best texture when reheating.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end with fish sauce, salt, or sugar to balance flavors.
  • Serve pho immediately while hot for the best taste and texture.
  • Add fresh herbs and toppings just before serving to keep them crisp and vibrant.
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Read it online: https://asiancuisinerecipes.com/recipe/vietnamese-pho-recipe-authentic-vietnamese-beef-noodle-soup/
Samantha Doe
Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.