How to Make Authentic Vietnamese Pho at Home

If you love flavourful noodle soups, Vietnamese Pho is a great choice to try at home. This iconic dish is delicious and surprisingly simple to make for beginners. With just a few key ingredients, you can create a warming, aromatic bowl of Pho that feels like a true taste of Vietnam. Follow this easy Vietnamese Pho recipe and get ready to enjoy a bowl of deliciously comforting soup with all the best toppings, including the perfect touch of Sriracha hot sauce.

What is Pho?

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup well-loved for its fragrant broth, tender noodles, and fresh toppings. Originating from northern Vietnam, it has become a popular dish worldwide and is valued for its delicate flavours and ingredients. When made right, pho is a clear, aromatic broth filled with rice noodles and layered with various cuts of meat and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Making authentic Pho at home calls for a range of fresh ingredients and pantry staples to create its distinctive depth of flavour. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on the number of servings. Here’s what you’ll need for a recipe serving four:

For the Broth

• Beef or chicken bones: 1 kg (for rich flavour; you can use chicken or beef depending on your preference)
• Onion: 1 large, halved and charred
• Ginger: 1 large piece, around 2 inches, halved and charred
• Garlic: 3 cloves, smashed
• Cinnamon stick: 1 stick
• Star anise: 2-3 pods
• Cloves: 4-5 pieces
• Fish sauce: 2 tbsp (for authentic Vietnamese flavour)
• Soy sauce: 1 tbsp (adds depth to the broth)
• Water: 2.5 litres

Noodle and Topping Ingredients

• Pho rice noodles: 300g, cooked as per package instructions
• Fresh herbs: 1 handful each of coriander, mint, and Thai basil
• Bean sprouts: 1 cup
• Lime wedges: 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Fresh chillies: 1-2, sliced (optional for extra heat)
• Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Sauce: 1 tablespoon (highly recommended for a spicy twist)

Instructions

Prepare the Broth

To make the broth, start by charring the aromatics. Place the halved onion and ginger directly over an open flame or under a grill until they’re nicely charred and smoky, adding a hint of sweetness to your broth. Next, in a large pot, combine the bones, charred onion and ginger, garlic cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. Pour in 2.5 litres of water, making sure everything is submerged.
Now, it’s time to season the broth. Add fish sauce and soy sauce to create that rich, savoury base. Bring the pot to a gentle simmer, then cover it and let it cook slowly on low heat for 2–3 hours.
Once the broth has reached a rich, aromatic flavour, strain it carefully into another pot, discarding the solids. Now, your broth is ready, beautifully clear and packed with flavour, ready to be poured over fresh noodles and garnished with herbs and spices.

Prepare the Noodles

To prepare the noodles, follow the package instructions for the Pho rice noodles. Rice noodles usually need just a few minutes in boiling water to reach the perfect softness. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to prevent them from sticking.

Assemble the Pho

To assemble your Pho, evenly distribute the cooked noodles into four bowls. Ladle the hot, fragrant broth over the noodles and add thin slices of beef or chicken, allowing the heat to cook the meat gently.
Top each bowl with a generous sprinkle of fresh coriander, mint, and Thai basil, adding colours and flavours. Finish with a handful of bean sprouts, a wedge of lime for a touch of acidity, and some sliced chillies if you fancy a bit of extra heat.
For the final flourish, drizzle on Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Sauce, adding a hint of garlic and spice that perfectly complements the broth. Now, your homemade Pho is ready to enjoy.

Why Use Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Sauce?

Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Sauce isn’t just any hot sauce. It’s known for its balanced heat, a touch of sweetness, and slight garlic flavour, making it an ideal pairing for Pho. Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Sauces are made with only natural and fresh ingredients, using fresh, sun-ripened chillies carefully selected for their heat and flavour. Plus, they are also vegan-friendly, making them a great option for all diets.

Enjoying Your Homemade Pho

Making authentic Vietnamese Pho at home is easier than you might think. This recipe allows you to enjoy a warm, satisfying meal with easy-to-find and adaptable ingredients. By following these steps, you’ll end up with a delicious bowl of Pho that brings a taste of Vietnam to your table.
Ready to try this easy Pho recipe and make it your own? Once you’ve made your first bowl, you’ll see how fun and delicious it is to customise Pho with different toppings and spices. Don’t forget to explore Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Sauces, including the Sriracha Hot Chilli Sauce and Sriracha Mayo. Each one offers a unique twist that can take your Pho and other home-cooked meals to the next level.