Best Cooks Illustrated Vietnamese Style Beef Noodle Soup Recipes

PHO BO (VIETNAMESE BEEF-AND-NOODLE SOUP)

Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef-and-Noodle Soup) image

In Vietnam, where there is enough rain, heat and sun to grow almost anything in large quantity, herbs are treated much like what most Americans consider "eating" greens. They sometimes form the bulk of salads and soups and are often used as wrappers, seasonings and condiments. Here, a pile of fresh herbs are served alongside this classic Vietnamese beef soup, so diners can add to taste. Basil, cilantro and mint are critical, but chervil, lovage, parsley, shiso, dill, marjoram and other tender herbs work, too.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories pastas, soups and stews, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/2 pound thin rice noodles (labeled "vermicelli" or "rice sticks")
8 cups rich beef or chicken stock
4 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
1 1-inch chunk peeled fresh ginger
1 onion, quartered (don't bother to peel)
4 cloves
1 pound boneless sirloin, tenderloin or round (chicken may be substituted), cut into 16 thin slices
2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla or nuoc mam, available at Asian markets) or soy sauce
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
2 limes, cut into wedges
8 scallions, minced
Several Thai or other chilies, stemmed, seeded and minced
A heaping plate of mixed herbs, washed and dried: basil, cilantro and mint are most important, but chervil, lovage, parsley, shiso, dill, marjoram and other tender herbs are all appropriate.

Steps:

Soak rice noodles in hot water to cover.
Meanwhile, combine stock, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, onion and cloves in saucepan; turn heat to high. When mixture boils, turn heat to low, and cover. Let cook, undisturbed, for 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how much time you have (the longer the cooking, the deeper the flavor). Strain, and return to saucepan; turn heat to medium.
Bring pot of water to boil. Drain noodles, add them to pot, and boil for 30 seconds; drain well. Warm 4 large bowls by filling them with hot water; discard water. Divide noodles among bowls.
Turn heat under soup to medium, and add beef; stir once, and then turn off heat. (The meat is traditionally left rare; if you want to cook it more, go ahead, but these slices will cook through in less than 2 minutes.) Add fish sauce or soy sauce and plenty of pepper to the soup. Taste, and add salt or more seasoning, if necessary.
Top noodles with broth and meat, and then bring to the table. Serve, passing lime wedges, scallions, chilies and herbs at the table, so that everyone can add them to taste.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 698, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 80 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 41 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 1905 milligrams, Sugar 14 grams, TransFat 0 grams

AUTHENTIC PHO

Authentic Pho image

This authentic pho isn't quick, but it is delicious. The key is in the broth, which gets simmered for at least 6 hours.

Provided by Allrecipes

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Noodle Soup Recipes

Time 9h20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

4 pounds beef soup bones
1 onion, unpeeled and cut in half
5 slices fresh ginger
1 tablespoon salt
2 pods star anise
2 ½ tablespoons fish sauce
4 quarts water
1 (8 ounce) package dried rice noodles
1 ½ pounds beef top sirloin, thinly sliced
½ cup chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
1 ½ cups bean sprouts
1 bunch Thai basil
1 lime, cut into 4 wedges
¼ cup hoisin sauce
¼ cup chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha®)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Place beef bones on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven until browned, about 1 hour.
Place onion on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven until blackened and soft, about 45 minutes.
Place bones, onion, ginger, salt, star anise, and fish sauce in a large stockpot and cover with 4 quarts of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer on low for 6 to 10 hours. Strain the broth into a saucepan and set aside.
Place rice noodles in large bowl filled with room temperature water and allow to soak for 1 hour. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and after the noodles have soaked, place them in the boiling water for 1 minute. Bring stock to a simmer.
Divide noodles among 4 serving bowls; top with sirloin, cilantro, and green onion. Pour hot broth over the top. Stir and let sit until the beef is partially cooked and no longer pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and chile-garlic sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 508.6 calories, Carbohydrate 65.6 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Fat 11 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 34.9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 3519.3 mg, Sugar 8.6 g