Description
A deeply comforting Vietnamese beef noodle soup with slow-simmered bone broth, spices, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
4 pounds beef bones (marrow & knuckle)
1 large onion, halved
4-inch piece ginger, sliced
3 whole star anise pods
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp rock sugar (or sugar)
Salt to taste
1.5 lbs medium-width rice noodles
1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin or brisket
Fresh herbs: cilantro, Thai basil, mint
Toppings: lime wedges, bean sprouts, jalapeños, hoisin sauce, sriracha
Instructions
1. Blanch beef bones in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse.
2. Char onion and ginger by roasting or broiling for 10 minutes.
3. Toast spices in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add bones, charred aromatics, and spices to a stockpot; cover with water.
5. Simmer gently for 3 hours, skimming impurities. Add fish sauce, sugar, salt in last 30 minutes.
6. Soak noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then boil until tender.
7. Layer noodles in a bowl, top with raw beef slices.
8. Pour hot broth over to cook beef.
9. Top with herbs, lime, sprouts, and sauces. Enjoy!
Notes
Use pre-roasted short ribs for deeper broth flavor.
For vegetarian version, sub in mushrooms and onion broth.
Charred aromatics and toasted spices are non-negotiable for flavor.
Add creative toppings like pickled carrots or garlic chips.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pho, Vietnamese soup, beef noodle soup, comfort food