So, I decided to make a pho bowl, you know, that yummy Vietnamese soup. I’ve always loved it at restaurants, so I thought, why not try making it at home?
First things first, I gathered all the stuff I needed. I already had some beef bones from the last time I made stock. For the spices, I went and got some star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and coriander seeds. I also picked up some fresh ginger and an onion for the broth.
I started by charring the onion and ginger. I just threw them straight onto the burner of my gas stove. You could use a broiler too, I guess. Then I gave the beef bones a good rinse and put them in a big pot with water. I brought that to a boil and skimmed off the foamy stuff that came to the top.
Next, I tossed in the charred onion and ginger, along with the spices. I also added a bit of fish sauce and some sugar. I let that simmer for like, forever. Okay, not forever, but at least 6 hours. The longer, the better, really.
- Char onion and ginger.
- Boil beef bones, skim foam.
- Add charred onion, ginger, spices, fish sauce, and sugar to the pot.
- Simmer for at least 6 hours.
While the broth was doing its thing, I got the other ingredients ready. I sliced up some beef sirloin really thin. I also prepared some rice noodles according to the package directions. Then I chopped up some fresh cilantro, Thai basil, and green onions. I also sliced some limes and jalapenos for garnish.
Almost there!
Once the broth was ready, I strained it through a fine-mesh sieve. I seasoned it with more fish sauce and salt until it tasted just right.
Finally, it was time to assemble the bowls. I divided the noodles among the bowls, then added the raw beef slices. I carefully ladled the hot broth over the beef, which cooked it instantly. Then I topped each bowl with the fresh herbs, green onions, lime wedges, and jalapenos.
And that’s it! My homemade pho bowl. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. It tasted pretty darn close to the pho I get at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. I will definitely be making this again!
