Sour pho is a dish originating from the highlands, popular in Lang Son. At a pho restaurant in Dong Da area, according to the restaurant owner, when bringing it down to Hanoi, the restaurant has adjusted a little the flavor to suit the taste of the people of the Capital but still retains the inherent characteristics of the dish.
Originally, it would be a different flavor up there. Coming down here, the owner will definitely change a little to suit the taste of Hanoi people, but still retain the characteristic flavor of highland pho," the restaurant staff said.
A full bowl of sour pho has the presence of many ingredients such as pho noodles, char siu meat, shredded chicken, rib sausage, pork liver, sweet potato or fried taro, crushed roasted peanuts, fried onions, cucumbers, sauerkraut and herbs.
The processing stages are also quite elaborate. Pork is marinated with oyster sauce, sugar and cashews to create color, then briefly boiled, drained, then fried and sliced. Sweet potatoes or taro are cut into small strands, fried until golden brown and crispy. Roasted peanuts are crushed, dried onions, cucumbers and rib sausage are all pre-processed separately to maintain flavor and freshness.
When finished, the maker successively arranges pho noodles, char siu meat, shredded chicken, cucumber, roasted peanuts, fried potatoes and fried onions on top. Diners can add lemon, chili or pepper depending on their taste.
The point that makes the difference of sour pho is the slightly thick broth, with a harmonious sweet and sour taste. The broth is cooked from duck broth combined with fragrant fried onions and garlic, tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, ginger and a special spice made from ripe bananas. Finally, tapioca starch is added to create thickness.
When enjoying, diners will pour or mix enough water to make the ingredients absorb evenly while still maintaining their crispness.
The harmony between the fatty taste of meat, the buttery taste of peanuts, the crispness of french fries, the cool taste of cucumbers and the sweet and sour dressing creates a harmonious and unique overall.
Sour pho still retains its own appeal with its rustic but elaborate, simple style that is enough to make many diners remember it forever after the first taste.
