Pho is one of the typical dishes of Vietnamese cuisine and has many attractive variations. Each processing method brings a unique flavor, helping diners have more choices when exploring Vietnamese cuisine.
Traditional pho noodle soup
Speaking of pho, the first thing to mention is the famous pho noodle soup bowl. The pho noodle soup is made from delicious rice, rolled into thin layers and then sliced moderately, soft but still retains its chewiness. The point that creates the soul of the dish is the broth that is simmered from beef bones and pork bones for many hours, combined with cinnamon, anise, cardamom, grilled ginger and many traditional spices.
A full bowl of beef pho usually has rare, cooked, braised or lean meat, served with scallions, chopped onions and herbs. The price of a bowl of pho is commonly from 40,000 VND.
Pho rolls
Among the variations of pho, pho rolls are the most famous dish. Instead of using pho noodles, the cook uses large, soft and thin pho rolls to roll beef stir-fried with lettuce, herbs and onions.
The deciding point of deliciousness lies in the marinated beef and the harmonious sweet and sour dipping sauce. When enjoying, diners can feel the freshness of the vegetables, the sweetness of the meat and the softness and chewiness of the pho noodles. A serving of about 10 rolls costs from 60,000 VND.
Roasted Pho
If you love savory dishes, stir-fried pho is a worthwhile choice to try. The pho noodles are stir-fried over high heat with beef, vegetables and a thick sauce.
Some restaurants also process it in a dry stir-fry style, which helps the pho noodles firm up and have charred edges. The dish is often served with raw vegetables or mixed fish sauce. The price of each serving ranges from about 60,000 VND.
Puffy fried pho
Puffy fried pho impresses with its crispy crust but still retains its softness and chewiness inside. For processing, pho noodles are arranged in thick layers, cut into bite-sized squares and then fried in oil until they are evenly puffed and have a beautiful golden color.
When eating, the fried pho noodles are covered with a layer of stir-fried beef with mustard greens, shiitake mushrooms, onions, beef and a thick and smooth sauce. The sauce gently absorbs into the crispy noodles, creating a harmony between richness, sweetness and characteristic aroma. The price of a plate of puffed pho noodles ranges from about 60,000 VND.
Pho tiu
Pho tiu is a familiar dish in many Hanoi markets but still quite strange to tourists. Not as watery as traditional pho, the dish only has a sufficient amount of water to mix well with pho noodles.
Thinly sliced lean meat, roasted peanuts, fried onions, vinegar and sauce create a harmonious flavor between sweetness, sourness and richness. Each bowl costs about 50,000 VND.
Roasted pho
The combination of beef sauce cooking style with traditional pho noodles has created a unique pho sauce dish.
The beef is stewed until soft, soaked in spices, but the broth still retains the clearness and characteristic lightness of Hanoi pho. Not as fatty as the wine sauce served with bread, the dish has a light aroma of cinnamon and wine, very suitable for chilly days.
Sour Pho
Sour pho originates from the northern border provinces, most famously Lang Son. This dish conquers diners thanks to the harmonious combination of many ingredients and the characteristic sweet and sour sauce.
A bowl of sour pho usually includes fresh soft pho noodles, thinly sliced char siu meat, shredded or sliced roasted duck, sausage, eggs, crushed roasted peanuts and herbs, shredded papaya or cucumber. All are mixed well with a slightly thick sauce mixed from meat broth, vinegar, sugar, garlic, chili and ginger,..
Depending on the locality, sour pho can be adjusted in terms of ingredients and seasoning to suit the taste.
Mixed pho
Mixed pho retains the familiar ingredients of pho but changes the way of enjoying it. The pho noodles are mixed with shredded chicken or beef, onions, herbs and sauce mixed from soy sauce, chicken fat and many spices.
The dish has a rich but not greasy taste, thanks to the balance between the meat, vegetables and broth. This is a choice loved by many people when they want to change the taste.
Phở chấm
Pho with dipping sauce is a simple dish but brings a rather interesting experience. Pho cake is cut into bite-sized pieces, arranged separately with boiled chicken, lemon leaves and herbs.
Diners dip each piece of pho into a bowl of soy sauce mixed with a little sugar, chili or fish sauce according to their taste. This unique way of eating helps diners feel the aroma of pho noodles and chicken more clearly.
Stone bowl pho
Stone bowl pho attracts diners thanks to its unique service. Instead of using ordinary porcelain bowls, the broth is contained in a stone bowl heated at high temperatures, so it still boils fiercely when brought to the table.
One serving includes a bowl of broth, a plate of pho noodles, fresh meat, herbs and spices. Diners can add all ingredients at the same time or dip each part like hot pot. This way of enjoying not only keeps the heat of the dish but also helps the meat cook just right, keeping the natural sweetness.
