What is Pho?
Pho is a traditional and national noodle soup of Vietnam. Pho has taken root wherever the Vietnamese are and has become the most recognized Vietnamese dish worldwide. It has even made its way to break into CNN’s 20 best soups global list with the 2nd-highest ranking.
Forming the base of the hearty bowl is a rich broth made from either beef or chicken. The broth is then poured over rice noodles, sliced meat, and a generous helping of fresh herbs like Thai basil and Vietnamese mint leaves. Pho is typically served with fresh lime, bean sprouts, and chili. Sweet hoisin or spicy Sriracha sauce can also be directly added to the broth. The best thing about Pho is its “choose your own style” aspect. During the course of enjoying your soup, you are free to create the flavor of the broth depending on your own taste, making it a dynamic experience.
While slurping a hot bowl of Pho, you may be surprised to find that it was filled with hundreds of years of history.
The origins of Pho
It is commonly thought that the origins of Pho can be traced back to Nam Dinh in northern Vietnam. Meanwhile, Pho is believed to have either French origins or Chinese roots. It isn’t easy to pinpoint precisely where the word came from and may also spark a relentless debate when we question the exact origins of Pho.
The first appealing account is that Pho evolved from the classic French dish Pot-au-feu, a rustic beef stew in French cuisine that the colonialists introduced to Vietnam. Some people assert that the similarity, such as the beef bones broth infused with grilled onions and ginger flavor, or the pronunciation of “Pho” and “feu,” shows that the Vietnamese soup was directly inspired by the French.
However, not everyone is convinced that Pho comes from the French. Before Pho, street vendors were selling “xáo trâu” – a rice vermicelli noodle soup made with slices of water buffalo meat. Since many of the vendors were Chinese, a Vietnamese-Cantonese name for the dish, “ngưu nhục phấn,” means “beef with rice noodles,” was often used. Over time, that name may have been shortened to “phấn a” or “phốn ơ,” and finally settled into one word, “phở.”
Around the 1930s, the word “phở” was officially added to the Vietnamese dictionary. From then on, the popularity of Pho skyrocketed. It had worked its way into the culture and become a staple food of the Vietnamese people.
Main spices in Pho
Without a doubt, spices play a significant role in defining Pho. They contribute lots of aroma and flavor to create a multi-dimensional broth. The spices used in Pho are generally in their whole and dried form.
- Star anise: is a crucial pho spice. It adds a slightly bittersweet and licorice-like aroma to the broth. It contains anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help fight stomach ulcers, keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce symptoms of depression.
- Cloves: add a robust, spicy, and slightly bitter taste. They contain fiber, vitamins, minerals and are full of antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
- Fennel seeds: are similar to star anise with a licorice-like aroma and taste but on the sweeter side. They are highly nutritious and may help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects.
- Coriander seeds: add a citrusy taste to the broth, balancing out other pungent spices. They have several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may lower blood sugar levels and lower the risk of heart disease.
- Cinnamon: infuses the broth with a wonderfully warm and earthy aroma. It may help support gut health, manage blood pressure and lower the risk of diabetes.
- Black cardamom: infuses pho broth with a smoky taste and minty menthol aroma. It helps stimulate gastric and intestinal glands and helps improve blood circulation throughout the body by the presence of rich vitamin C.
LET’S SAVOR THE FAVOR!
With all the delicious history and the abundance of spices listed above, Pho has been nominated as a contender for the best hangover cure food. The spices and herbs help you sweat out and exfoliate all toxins and get you uber hydrated. There are a bunch of reasons for you to fall in love with Pho: it is healthy, comforting, restorative, and friendly!
Let’s experience the magic of one of the most fabulous noodle soups in the world at PT Pho right now! At PT Pho, we offer a savory herbal healing broth with a robust beef flavor. Don’t wait to satisfy your stomach. Place your order online now or visit us at 1 of our 7 stores in Arizona. A flavorful bowl of Pho is waiting to warm you from the inside!
