Pho is a Vietnamese beef noodle soup that is served in a bowl with a specific cut of white rice noodles (called bánh phở’) in clear beef broth, with slim cuts of beef (steak, fatty flank, lean flank, brisket). Variations feature tendon, tripe, meatballs, chicken legs or chicken breast. “With the lot” (made with all or most of the shop’s chicken and cattle offerings, and beef tripe and tendons) is known as phở đặc biệt (specialty phở). The broth is generally made by simmering beef bones, oxtails, flank steak, charred onion, and spices, usually taking several hours to prepare.
While a distinctly Vietnamese dish, pho has French and Chinese influences. The specific place of origin appears to be southwest of Hanoi in Nam Dinh province, then a substantial textile market, where cooks sought to please both Vietnamese and French tastes. It was originally sold by vendors from large boxes, until the first phở restaurant was opened in the 1920s in Hanoi, prior to the communist takeover.
The variations in meat, broth and additional garnishes such as lime, bean sprouts, ngo gai (cilantro), hung que (Thai/Asian basil), and tuong (bean sauce/hoisin sauce) appear to be innovations introduced in the south. Phở did not become popular in South Vietnam until 1954.
Following the Vietnam War, phở was brought to many countries by Vietnamese refugees fleeing Vietnam from the 1970s onwards. It is especially popular in large cities with substantial Vietnamese populations and enclaves such as Paris, France, the West Coast of Canada, the West Coast and Texas in the United States, and the immigrant areas in the western suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne of Australia, and Hong Kong.
How to Eat Pho – A bowl of Pho deliciousness will be presented to you with some kind of protein and a steaming meat-based broth. You will also be presented with basil, lime, bean sprouts, and peppers that can be added to the bowl at your discretion as the diner. Many diners enjoy adding Hoisin sauce (black, soy-based sauce) and hot sauce to the broth or in a separate side dish to dip meats. There is no “right” way of enjoying Pho. ©2011 Copyright Pho Sure. All rights reserved.
Pho Sure – Vietnamese Noodles is located at 23876 Copperhill Drive in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-257-3888 and visit www.phosurevalencia.com.