Pho
Pho
Pho is a rice noodle soup with strips of beef or pieces of chicken in it, that was well known and eaten in Hanoi, Vietnam, and then later became popular throughout all of the regions of Vietnam and then all over South East Asia.
The soup may have even had its origins in Hanoi. Today, you can enjoy having pho in the United States and Canada, in Vietnamese restaurants that serve this traditional soup.
It is usually made with strips of beef, which is called pho bo, or made with chicken which is called pho ga.
The noodles are approximately the size in diameter as spaghetti, but flat and squared on the ends.
It can have onions, basil, chillies, cilantro, limes and fish sauce which is a condiment made from anchovies, usually.
Pho in Vietnam can be eaten at virtually any time of the day, lunch or dinner and even for breakfast, which was originally the time of day it was eaten in Hanoi.
Pho bo
Pho bo or beef pho is made by making a beef broth or beef stock consisting of oxtail, beef ribs or beef shank and spices and then allowed to simmer for hours beforehand, then adding that on top of thinly sliced strips of beef.
Traditionally, pho bo is made to be sweet and spicy with spices like cinnamon and cloves, star anise and and coriander. It may include onions and peppers or chillies.Some variations of pho bo could be cilantro or lime on the side.
Pho ga
Pho ga or chicken pho is pretty much made the same way as pho bo, only you begin with a chicken stock or chicken broth made with the neck or wings of chicken and perhaps having added peppercorn, onions and ginger to add later on top of your boneless pieces of chicken.
It is traditionally meant to be lighter, and fresh or airy, with a more gingery flavor than compared to the spicy and sweet flavors of pho bo.
Both pho dishes are often served with bean sprouts and lime and many other fresh and healthy ingredients. I can't help but imagine, judging from the ingredients that pho ga would be as good as chicken soup if you have a cold.
Well, I hope you get to enjoy a nice bowl of pho, the next opportunity you get when dining in a Vietnamese restaurant!
