Pho Bo Soup

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Pho Bo Soup is a variety of Pho soup. Pho bo means that this soup with beef, Pho ga is the same soup, but with chicken. Pho bo’s first time was made between 1900 and 1907 in Vietnam. The classic version contains broth, rice noodles (bánh phở), herbs, and beef. But in this recipe, you can find a few surprises in ingredients, that make the soup more delicious.

Pho was originally sold at dawn and dusk by traveling from place to place street sellers, who shouldered mobile kitchens on carrying poles (gánh phở). This dish began to gain popularity in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam.

So with this recipe, you can cook this hearty and tasty soup like the true connoisseur of beauty food.

1. Bake the ingredients

Preheat the oven to 200º/350º. Place the soup bones, ribs, brisket, red onion, and ginger root in a baking tray (you can separate the onion and ginger so they don’t get soaked with the meat juices). Bake for 1 hour.

2. Remove from the oven and let them cool

3. Transfer all ingredients to a pot

Transfer all ingredients to a pot and cover with 2 L. of water. Add the sweet anise, cardamom pods, pepper, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Cut the meat

Remove all solids. Cut the ribs and the beef brisket and discard bones.

5. Cook the noodles

Bring the broth to a boil again and add the noodles (cook them for as long as package directions indicate).

6. Serve it

When the noodles are almost ready, add the spinach. Check the taste to add more salt or pepper as needed.

Nutritional values

Printable recipe

Alejandra de la Torre

Recipe Developer & Photographer

I'm Alejandra de la Torre and my passion is sharing food with my family and friends, so there wasn't a better career path than creating amazing recipes and pictures meant to be shared and enjoyed. After studying sociology and literature, I decided to pursue my real call and started cooking school, and soon after came the pictures. I love Asian-inspired dishes, as well as Mediterranean and Italian Cuisines, and I'm here to share all my love for food with you. I hope you enjoy it!

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