Pho is not only a famous traditional dish of Vietnam but also a symbol of the country's culinary culture. With its delicious, rich flavor and natural ingredients, Pho has conquered not only Vietnamese people but also international friends. This article will help you discover interesting things about this dish, from its origin, popular types of Pho to the right way to enjoy it.

1. The Origin of Pho

Pho originated in Northern Vietnam, especially in Hanoi and Nam Dinh. Although the exact time of its creation is unknown, many documents state that this dish appeared in the early 20th century. Initially, pho was simply a street food, sold at street vendors and rural markets. However, over time, pho has become a popular dish and gradually asserted its position in Vietnamese cuisine.

There are many theories about the origin of pho. One of the most popular theories is that pho originated from “buffalo stew” – an ancient Vietnamese dish made from buffalo meat. Later, the buffalo meat was replaced with beef and the broth was made from beef bones to create a sweet, rich flavor.

2. Popular Types of Pho

Pho has many variations depending on region and personal preference. Here are the two most common types of pho:

Beef Pho

Pho Bo is the most traditional and popular type of pho in Vietnam. The broth of Pho Bo is made from beef bones simmered for many hours, combined with spices such as cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and shallots, creating a rich and aromatic flavor. When eating, people add rare or well-done beef, green onions, onions, and sometimes bean sprouts. A hot bowl of Pho Bo with clear broth, tender and sweet beef, and chewy noodles is an irresistible dish.

Chicken Pho

Chicken pho is also a very popular variation of pho. The broth of chicken pho is made from chicken bones, often combined with shallots, ginger and other spices to create a light, delicate flavor. The chicken is shredded, placed on top of the pho noodles, with green onions, herbs and sometimes julienned kaffir lime leaves, making the bowl of pho elegant and delicious.

3. How to Cook Pho – Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine

A delicious bowl of pho lies not only in the delicious flavor of the meat and noodles but also in the elaborate and meticulous preparation of the broth. Below are the basic steps to cook pho:

Broth

The broth is the deciding factor in the flavor of a bowl of pho. To have a clear and sweet broth, beef bones (or chicken bones for chicken pho) are simmered for many hours. The process of simmering bones not only helps to extract the sweetness from the bones but also makes the broth naturally clear. In addition, spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, ginger, and shallots are roasted before being added to the broth to create a distinctive aroma.

Pho noodles

Pho noodles are made from rice, soft but not mushy, and able to absorb the flavor of the broth. Pho noodles are usually blanched in boiling water to ensure they are hot and soft enough before the broth is poured over them.

Meat and Other Ingredients

With beef pho, the beef can be rare, well-done, beef shank or beef tendon, depending on the diner's preference. With chicken pho, people use boiled chicken, shredded or whole. In addition, green onions, onions, bean sprouts and herbs are indispensable ingredients in a bowl of pho, creating a fresh and harmonious flavor.

4. How to Enjoy Pho Properly

Enjoying pho is not just a simple meal, but also a sophisticated culinary experience. Here are some suggestions for enjoying pho properly:

Combine With Spices

When eating pho, you can add lemon, chili, garlic vinegar and chili sauce to create a rich flavor for the bowl of pho. However, you should not add too many spices to avoid losing the natural flavor of the broth.

Combined With Herbs

A bowl of pho is often served with herbs such as coriander, basil, bean sprouts and green onions. Herbs not only enhance the flavor but also balance the fat content of the broth, making the dish more refreshing and pleasant.

Enjoy While Hot

Pho is best enjoyed while it is still hot. When the broth is still hot, you will feel the sweet taste of the bones, along with the characteristic aroma of the spices. The soft noodles are soaked in the broth and the beef and chicken are just cooked, creating a perfect culinary experience.

5. Pho – A World Famous Dish

Nowadays, Pho is not only a traditional Vietnamese dish but also a famous dish all over the world. Many Vietnamese restaurants in countries such as the US, France, Australia, and Japan have Pho on their menus and are loved by many international diners. The distinctive flavor, the sophistication in the preparation and the perfect combination of natural ingredients have helped Pho win the hearts of many people around the world.

In many countries, pho has become a familiar dish, loved no less than other international dishes such as pizza, sushi or hamburgers. Many famous chefs in the world have not hesitated to introduce Vietnamese pho in major culinary programs, increasing the popularity of this dish.

Vietnamese Cuisine

Pho is not only a traditional dish but also the pride of Vietnamese cuisine. With its rich, delicate flavor and meticulous preparation, Pho has conquered the hearts of many food lovers around the world. If you have the chance, enjoy a hot bowl of Pho, to feel the harmonious combination of fragrant sweet broth, soft noodles and sweet pieces of meat. Pho will definitely bring you unforgettable culinary experiences.