Craving a warm bowl of Vietnamese comfort on a chilly evening? This recipe pho noodle soup is just what you need, showcasing the authentic taste of traditional pho broth concentrate, delivering classic flavors in a fraction of the traditional simmer time. Whether you choose to make it a chicken pho recipe or explore other proteins, get ready for a fantastic meal that’s both aromatic and satisfying. For a longer, more traditionally authentic recipe, check out this video from Cooking Island.
Background content: Pho is a beloved Vietnamese soup, especially popular during colder months or for special occasions. In Vietnam, it’s common for people to enjoy pho at any time of day—yes, even for breakfast!
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Recipe Pho Noodle Soup Ingredients
We chose these specific ingredients for their ability to create a deep, fragrant pho broth in less time. Beef stock is a key component in creating a deep, fragrant pho broth. A pho broth concentrate or better-than-bouillon base helps replicate the traditional hours-long simmer. Yeast extract is an important ingredient in the pho broth concentrate. Fresh herbs and add-ins, like mung bean sprouts, jalapeños, and Thai basil, offer that restaurant-quality experience at home.
- Rice noodles (1mm thickness)
- Phở broth concentrate (or beef/chicken bouillon paste)
- Assorted whole spices (star anise, cinnamon, coriander, etc.)
- Rock sugar (for subtle sweetness)
- Protein of choice: shredded chicken, sliced steak, or tofu
- Toppings: bean sprouts, fresh herbs, lime, hoisin, sriracha
See recipe card for quantities.
Recipe Pho Noodle Soup Instructions
- Step 1: Toast Whole Spices
Gently toast star anise, cinnamon bark, coriander seeds, etc., for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, then place them in a mesh bag.
- Step 2: Simmer Broth & Protein
Combine water with phở broth concentrate. Add the spice bag and mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Stir in your chosen protein (perfect for a chicken pho recipe) and simmer.
- Step 3: Cook Rice Noodles
Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 6–7 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking.
- Step 4: Assemble & Enjoy
Place noodles into bowls, ladle the steaming broth over them, then top with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime juice, and sauces like hoisin or sriracha.
Hint: If your broth tastes flat, add a splash of fish sauce or an extra spoonful of phở concentrate for umami. Pho concentrate is a quick and convenient solution for enhancing the broth’s flavor. If it’s too salty, thin it with water or add a bit more rock sugar to balance flavors.
Pho concentrate is an easy-to-use product for creating authentic pho broth quickly.
Substitutions
If you want to adapt this recipe pho noodle soup to specific diets, here are some genuine tips:
- Gluten-Free – Choose certified GF rice noodles and confirm your broth concentrate is gluten-free.
- Vegetarian/Vegan – Replace meat-based broth with vegetable broth concentrate and use tofu instead of chicken or steak.
- Low-Sodium – Pick a low-sodium soup base, then salt to taste rather than relying on a high-sodium concentrate.
Variations
Want to switch up your chicken pho recipe with extra flair? Try these ideas:
- Spicy – Stir in chili oil or fresh chilies for a kick.
- Deluxe – Add a soft-boiled egg, extra mushrooms, and Thai basil leaves.
- Kid Friendly – Keep toppings mild and let children drizzle hoisin sauce themselves.
Recipe Pho Noodle Soup Equipment
A large stockpot works best for simmering your broth, while a medium pot handles noodle prep. Use a strainer for rinsing noodles easily. If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen gear, check out my favorite cookware set. Using a large stockpot for simmering beef stock is essential to create a rich pho broth.
Recipe Pho Noodle Soup Storage
Store leftover broth and noodles separately. Refrigerate the broth for up to 2–3 days, and keep noodles for about a day. If freezing, freeze the broth on its own for up to a month; reheat and add fresh noodles when ready to serve. Combined leftovers typically don’t freeze well.
Top Tip
Char onion and ginger before adding them to the broth, or lightly toast your spices for a deep, unmistakable pho aroma. Small steps make a big difference in flavor!
FAQ
The secret ingredient in pho broth is often charred onion and ginger, which add a subtle smoky sweetness. Some chefs also use rock sugar or fish sauce for extra depth. In this recipe pho noodle soup, we rely on toasted spices and broth concentrate to replicate that authentic flavor without hours of simmering.
Traditional Vietnamese pho uses flat rice noodles, often labeled ‘banh pho’ or ‘rice stick noodles.’ For a chicken pho recipe, the 1mm or medium-width variety soaks quickly and retains the right chewiness. Always follow the package instructions for soaking or boiling to achieve the ideal texture.
Pho broth’s signature taste comes from a balance of aromatics—like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander seeds—plus the umami of meat or bone stock. Charred onion and ginger further deepen the flavor, while fish sauce adds a savory note. By toasting spices and using a quality broth concentrate, this recipe delivers the classic pho taste in less time.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe pho noodle soup: Try crispy spring rolls, fresh summer rolls, or a tangy cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast.
For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding sriracha sauce along with fresh ingredients like Thai basil, cilantro, and lime to your pho noodle soup.
Vietnamese Phở Noodle Soup Recipe with Authentic Taste
Ingredients
- 10-12 oz 1mm rice noodles
- 1 cup Sliced mushrooms
- 4 tablespoon Phở broth concentrate
- ½ tablespoon Rock sugar
Whole Spices
- 2 Star anise
- 2 Pieces cinnamon bark
- 2 teaspoon Whole coriander seeds
- 2 teaspoon Whole cloves
- 1 Whole black cardamom pod
- 1 tea bag or metal steeper
Proteins (choose one):
- 1-2 cups Cooked, shredded chicken
- 1-2 cups Thinly sliced steak
- 1-2 cups Diced firm tofu
Toppings (choose as many as you like):
- 1 cup Mung bean sprouts, shredded carrots, or sliced white onions
- ½ cup Fresh mint, Thai basil leaves, or cilantro
- 1 Lime (cut into quarters)
- 2-4 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 2-4 tablespoon Sriracha
- ¼ cup Sliced green onion
- 2-3 Sliced jalapeños (optional)
- 1-2 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
Instructions
Prepare Your Protein
- Tofu: open, drain, and cut tofu into bitesize pieces.
- Chicken: shred boiled or cooked chicken with a fork.
- Steak: wash and pat dry, season with salt & pepper and sear until cooked. Thinly slice and keep warm.
- (Optional): wash any fresh add-ins. If using white onion, thinly slice into crescents & soak in water for 20 minutes.
Toast the Spices
- Preheat a large stock pot on medium-low. Empty the whole spices into the stock pot (setting the mesh tea bag aside) and toast the spices for 2-3 min., stirring constantly until fragrant and being careful not to burn.
- Remove from heat. When the spices have cooled, place into the mesh bag, tie closed, and lightly crush spices with a mallet. Tip: use the plastic bag for reinforcement.
Create Pho Broth with Beef Stock
- In a large stock pot, mix 9-10 cups of water with phở broth concentrate (6 veggie broth packets or 4 Tbsp. beef/chicken broth paste). The broth concentrate includes key ingredients like yeast extract, which enhances the flavor profile.
- Place toasted whole spice sachet and mushrooms into the pot, cover, and bring to a boil on high heat (~10 min).
- In a separate large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil.
Season & Add Protein
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add rock sugar, 1-2 Tbsp. fish sauce (optional), and juice from half of the lime.
- If using tofu or shredded chicken, add to broth, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Cook Rice Noodles
- Add rice noodles to the pot of boiling water from step 3, turn off heat, and soak noodles for 6-7 minutes until soft, drain, and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Tip: add a little oil and toss to prevent noodles from sticking together.
Plate & Enjoy with Hoisin Sauce!
- Place rice noodles into soup bowls (you’ll have extra!) and ladle broth over noodles. If adding steak, arrange on top.
- Customize your bowl with sriracha (spicy!), hoisin sauce, green onion, lime, cilantro, fish sauce and any other toppings.
- Enjoy with chopsticks and a large soup spoon. Enhance your experience with a playlist (takeoutkit.com/playlists).
Rachael says
So simple and easy to make. I usually have most of the ingredients on hand except for the fresh items.