Pho
Table of Contents
- Prep Time: ~20 min
- Cook Time: ~60 min
- Servings: ~4
- Cost per Serving: ~$5.50
- Total Cost: ~$22.00
Ingredients
Aromatics & Spices (Broth)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 4 star anise pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 8 whole cloves
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 onion (quartered)
- 1 carrot (chunked)
- 1 celery stalk (chunked)
- 3 garlic cloves (smashed)
- 2 thumb-size pieces ginger (sliced)
- 2 pieces kombu / seaweed (4–5 inch)
- 5 oz dried mushrooms (shiitake or mix)
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 7 1/2 cups water
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp sugar
Toppings & Noodles
- 4 servings flat rice noodles (cooked per package)
- 1 block firm tofu (pressed, sliced)
- 9 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
- 7 oz bok choy (halved)
- 1 bunch green onions (sliced)
- 1/2 oz fresh mint (leaves picked)
- 1/2 oz fresh cilantro (sprigs)
- 1 red chili (thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Method
Broth
- Heat oil in a pot; toast star anise, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and peppercorns 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add onion, carrot, celery; cook on high to char edges. Add garlic and ginger; cook 2 minutes.
- Add kombu, dried mushrooms, miso, bouillon, water, soy, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil; simmer 45–60 minutes. Strain and keep hot.
Toppings
- Pan-fry tofu until golden; season with a splash of soy sauce.
- Sauté fresh shiitake until browned; season lightly.
- Steam bok choy with a splash of water until tender.
- Cook rice noodles per package; drain.
Serve
- Divide noodles among bowls. Ladle hot broth over.
- Top with tofu, mushrooms, bok choy, herbs, green onions, chili, and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Add a squeeze of lime and a dash of chili oil at the table.
- For deeper flavor, char onion and ginger under the broiler first.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~500 | 25% |
| Protein | ~24 g | 48% |
| Carbohydrates | ~75 g | 25% |
| Fat | ~14 g | 18% |
| Fiber | ~7 g | 25% |
| Sugars | ~6 g | 12% |
| Sodium | ~1000 mg | 43% |
| Calcium | ~250 mg | 19% |
| Iron | ~6 mg | 33% |
| Vitamin C | ~35 mg | 39% |