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Vietnamese beef noodle

Vietnamese beef noodle: A renowned delicacy on the global culinary radar

04/08/2023 1.063 views
5/5 - (1 vote)

Vietnamese beef noodles, also known as “pho bo”, is famous for its enticing combination of tender beef, flavorful broth, and slurp-worthy noodles. This iconic Vietnamese delicacy has garnered a global following due to its irresistible taste and aromatic charm.
A bowl of spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup is waiting for you to try on your trip to Vietnam

A bowl of spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup is waiting for you to try on your trip to Vietnam (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese beef noodles stand out among well-known Vietnamese noodles, combining succulent beef, fragrant herbs, and hearty noodles. You can find this beloved dish in every part of the country at any time of the day. Below, we will delve into why this dish has won over palates across the globe and become indispensable in any Vietnam travel itinerary.

1. An overview of Vietnamese beef noodle soup (pho bo)

Nam Dinh Province is widely acknowledged as the cradle of Vietnamese beef noodles, but its spiritual home undeniably lies in Hanoi. Dating back to the late 19th century, the dish’s history intertwines with the increased demand for beef, resulting in a surplus of beef bones. Chinese and Vietnamese vendors capitalize on these bones to perfect the flavorful Nam Dinh broth.

The popularity of Vietnamese beef noodles expanded to the Central and Southern regions of Vietnam in the 1950s, following the French defeat in Indochina and the division of the country into two military zones. Northern people migrated and brought pho to the South in 1954, leading to variations as the dish adapted to new regions. 

Pho is nowadays considered a symbol of Vietnamese culinary culture, the pride of Vietnamese people on the world culinary map. In early 2023, Vietnamese beef noodles were ranked second in the top 10 best noodle dishes in Southeast Asia according to the international food magazine TasteAtlas. In 2021, pho bo ranked second among the world’s 20 best soups compiled by CNN. 

Thus, pho is undoubtedly one of the best representatives of Asian food.

Vietnamese beef rice noodle soup is a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine

Vietnamese beef rice noodle soup is a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine (Source: Collected)

Explore the unique flavors of 17 MUST-TRY Vietnamese foods from North to South!

2. What makes the exceptional flavor of Vietnamese beef noodle soup?

The distinctive flavor of spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup stems from a perfect harmony of local ingredients and a rich, aromatic broth. Vietnamese beef pho ingredients include beef bones, tendons, flanks, beef slices, rice noodles, onions, gingers, scallions, and a mixture of fresh herbs like basil, spearmint, cilantro, bean sprouts, etc.

The broth, which is the soul of the dish, is made by simmering beef bones and aromatic spices like star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger for several hours. This slow and meticulous process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a savory, comforting, and deeply satisfying Vietnamese beef noodle bowl that captures the palates of food lovers.

The special flavor of pho bo comes from the meticulous combination of ingredients

The special flavor of pho bo comes from the meticulous combination of ingredients (Source: Collected)

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3. Top 5 locations for enjoying mouth-watering Vietnamese beef noodle soup

The taste of pho bo varies across Vietnam, as each region has its own recipes and variations. Northern pho features a clear and lightly seasoned broth, while Southern pho is sweeter and richer, and Central pho incorporates spicy elements. 

The number of calories in Vietnamese beef noodles is around 400-500, ideal to boost your energy. Pho is consumed daily and sold nearly everywhere throughout the country. Here are the top 5 best places for food travel enthusiasts to savor authentic pho bo in Vietnam:

3.1. Pho Thin

Pho Thin Hanoi is the shared name of two iconic eateries in Hanoi, Pho Thin Bo Ho and Pho Thin Lo Duc, renowned for their delectable and authentic Vietnamese beef noodle soup. These eateries have been delighting locals and tourists with their bowls of pho for decades. While Pho Thin Bo Ho is the ideal choice for those seeking the traditional flavor of pho bo, Pho Thin Lo Duc attracts those who want a new and exciting taste.

Pho Thin is among the most famous pho establishments in Hanoi

Pho Thin is among the most famous pho establishments in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

3.2. Pho Ly Quoc Su

Pho Ly Quoc Su is a famous pho restaurant chain in Hanoi. These restaurants attract both locals and tourists with their authentic and flavorful Vietnamese beef noodle dishes. Here, diners can choose from various beef options like rare, brisket, well-done, plate, and more. Once you have savored it, the gently sweet and succulent broth will linger in your memory. For more than 20 years, Pho Ly Quoc Su has been one of the best places to eat in Hanoi.

3.3. Pho Bat Dan

Pho Bat Dan, a renowned pho establishment in Hanoi since the 60s, has become an integral part of the city’s vibrant food scene. Specializing solely in Vietnamese beef noodle dishes, this family-owned eatery steadfastly preserves its original recipe. The broth is clear and savory, which is skillfully prepared to extract the goodness of bone marrow without becoming fatty. An interesting thing here is that you will need to queue and serve yourself at the counter instead of being served by the waiters.

Pho Bat Dan has a unique recipe for Vietnamese beef and noodle soup

Pho Bat Dan has a unique recipe for Vietnamese beef and noodle soup (Source: Collected)

3.4. Pho Cao Van

Pho Cao Van, one of the oldest Vietnamese beef noodle restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, was established in 1952. Here, diners are enticed by the tender beef, impeccable noodles, and refreshing herbs like green onions and basil. Despite the increasing presence of other modern restaurants, Pho Cao Van remains a not-to-be-missed dining spot, attracting locals and foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City.

3.5. Pho Hoa Pasteur

Pho Hoa Pasteur is another must-try restaurant for the finest Vietnamese beef noodle soup in Ho Chi Minh City, with over 50 years of operation. Despite slightly higher prices compared to other pho restaurants, this renowned eatery still entices foodies and travel bloggers with its generous bowls filled with plentiful meats and herbs.

Pho Hoa Pasteur is an authentic Vietnam beef noodle restaurant

Pho Hoa Pasteur is an authentic Vietnam beef noodle restaurant (Source: Collected)

In addition to savoring Vietnamese food, your journey to Vietnam will be more memorable as you explore the top destinations, including Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. These remarkable destinations boast vibrant cities, pristine beaches, ancient towns, and more that will surely leave you amazed.

For an even more exciting adventure in Vietnam, don’t forget to explore VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, Vinpearl Aquarium and VinKE, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. These outstanding attractions belong to VinWonders, a world-class system of amusement and theme parks. VinWonders offers a variety of thrilling games, cultural experiences, and entertainment options for all ages, where you can enjoy lots of happy moments with your loved ones. 

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4. How to make Vietnamese beef noodle soup at home?

Besides savoring pho bo in Vietnam, you can learn how to make Vietnamese pho beef noodle soup at home. Here is a simple Vietnamese beef noodle recipe for you to try:

  • Prepare ingredients: Beef bones, beef chuck and flank, fresh rice noodles, onions, scallions, ginger, purple onions, fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, culantro, spearmint, etc.), and seasonings.
  • Cook the broth for Vietnamese beef noodle soup:
    • Blanch the beef bones to remove impurities. Drain and rinse the bones.
    • Place the bones back into the pot. Add fresh water and  beef cuts.
    • Add sliced onions, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
    • Simmer the broth for a minimum of 2-3 hours.
  • Prepare toppings:
    • Thinly slice the beef and put it aside.
    • Slice the onions, purple onions, and scallions for garnishing and serving.
    • Rinse the bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, and lime for serving.
  • Cook the noodles for Vietnamese beef noodle soup:
    • For fresh noodles: Combine rice flour, cornstarch, salt, oil, and water in a bowl. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Steam and cut it into desired shapes. 
    • For dry noodles: You can buy pre-made pho noodles at local markets. Soak the dry noodles in cold water for 1 hour or in warm water for 40 minutes. Boil them for 5-7 minutes, then drain well.
  • Garnish the bowl:
    • Put the noodles in a bowl, adding the beef slices on top. Pour the steaming broth over the beef and noodles. Cook them to perfection. 
    • Garnish with the onions, scallions, and herbs.
    • Serve with the bean sprouts, lime, and chili sauce.
The recipe for Vietnamese beef noodle soup is easy to follow

The recipe for Vietnamese beef noodle soup is easy to follow (Source: Collected)

Check out 7 popular Vietnam rice noodle recipes to try at home!

In brief, Vietnamese beef noodles are an iconic dish that represents the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. The perfect harmony of tender beef, rice noodles, aromatic broth, and fresh herbs under traditional cooking techniques make pho bo stand out among the many famous dishes in Vietnam.

 

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