Soup has forever been mankind’s favorite comfort food. As Virginia Woolf once said, “Soup is cuisine’s kindest course,” each region’s culinary culture includes soup, or at least something that gives the same warmth on a cold day as the humble broth. A soup is easy to make, and as it is being prepared, you are engulfed in the beautiful aroma of spices, veggies and meat (minus the last one, if you’re a vegan). In fact, why would a book named “Chicken Soup for the Soul” become so popular, had it not been for the mere thought of soup? Soup is the perfect antidote for a runny nose as well as a broken heart, along with other medical conditions. Vietnam too is known for its variety of soups, such as the Canh Chua and the Bun Bo Hue. However, ask any Saigon local, and they would swear by this noodle soup called the Pho. In fact, for them it is a daily food that they have to eat religiously each morning. So, what is this Pho? And how do we eat it? Read the article to find out all about the Pho.
What is Pho?
Over the years, with the gradual increase in popularity of Vietnamese food, the Pho too has achieved its share of fame and success with food lovers around the world. One of the most basic noodle soups prepared in the country, it is probably the homely, comfortable feel that accompanies it, which makes the Pho so well-loved in the nation and everywhere else. You don’t need to step into a high-end restaurant to sit down and enjoy this bowl of broth. Pho is prepared at every corner of every street, and there are innumerable local stalls that whip up the most delectable soup you would have ever tasted. Though it is a breakfast staple, you will not be frowned upon, if your heart desires a bowl of Pho any other time of the day. The Pho Bo is more common, and incorporates slices or chunks of beef with flat rice noodles. The Pho Ga is for those who prefer chicken. The beef here is replaced by chicken. No matter what you use, Pho become a must-eat dish, especially if you have never tried it before, owing to the splendid marriage between meat, noodles, herbs, spices and sauces.
How to Order and Eat Pho Like a Pro
If you are in Vietnam right now, or are planning a trip soon, and want to dig into this steaming bowl of hearty goodness, here are some tips to order it and eat it. Follow these suggestions, and you can lay back and relax—you won’t have to worry about making a fool of yourself in an alien country.
1. Pronunciation
First, pay attention to the pronunciation. Pho is pronounced as ‘fuh’. If you say anything that resembles ‘faux’, you would be asking for trouble, since it would mean you are looking for something that’s fake. True, different regions in Vietnam have different dialects, but ‘fuh?’ pronounced like a question will keep you safe. In case that seems difficult, just point to Pho on the menu.
Photo Credit:
http://www.ryansrecipes.com/recipes/vietnamese/vietnamese-beef-pho-noodle-soup/
2. What Pho Means
The word ‘Pho’ actually means the noodle and not the broth, since Vietnam is famous for the variety of soup it offers to its residents and tourists alike. Pho, in particular, uses white noodles that are made of rice flour. Once cooked, these noodles become really soft, allowing you to slurp them out of the soup, which is exactly how you are expected to enjoy it.
Photo Credit:
http://vietspices.blogspot.in/2012/06/pho-bo-vietnamese-beef-noodle-soup.html
3. A Pho Might Mean Noodles, But It Is The Broth That Counts
Though the noodles used may be of excellent quality, and just the kind required, it is the soup that makes it one of the most sought-after Vietnamese dishes in the world. The broth, which as mentioned earlier, is usually beef stock, needs to be seasoned perfectly with salt and herbs. Spices that are a must-use are cloves, star anise, cinnamon and fennel. The taste of the broth also depends on how it’s cooked. For beef, it has to be simmered with beef bones for a long time. For chicken, which is called Pho Ga, the whole bird is used for the soup. Also, it’s not all about the flavor. It is not Pho if the broth is cloudy. The soup has to be crystal clear in its consistency, almost like a consommé (that, by the way, is French clear soup).
Photo Credit:
http://growcookheal.com/cook/a-nourishing-turkey-pho/
Photo Credit
http://trusturgut.com/2014/03/25/chicken-pho-soul/
4. The Garnish
The garnish is another important element in this dish that most people look forward to. The garnish however, has the ability to make or break a pho, and ironically, it’s up to you to elevate this simple soup, and if you go wrong, you can’t blame the chef. Usually, the herbs arrive in a separate basket, consisting mostly of cilantro, chilli peppers, Thai basil, green onions and bean sprouts. Before you allow yourself to be deceived, remember one thumb rule: to add your own touch to a soup before tasting it, is equivalent to insulting the chef. First, take a sip of the broth. If it’s perfect, you probably won’t need to garnish it at all. In case you do want to add herbs to the Pho, keep it simple, and you won’t be disappointed. Choose only a few ingredients from the wide range of herbs, and that should be enough to transform your Pho into a cherished experienced. To get the best out of those leaves, shred them into small pieces and sprinkle them over the broth.
Photo Credit:
https://cookingonpage32.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/mussels-with-chilli-and-basil/
5. The Condiments
When it comes to condiments, the thumb rule remains the same. Before you add a sauce of your choice, ensure you taste the broth that’s been served to you. Only if you want the extra zing in it, feel free to experiment with the condiments at hand. The sauces that you are most likely to encounter at a restaurant or a Pho stall are hoisin, Sriracha and fish sauce. You may either pour them into your Pho or use them as a dip for the chunks of meat. In case you feel more daring, you may add the oh-so-hot chilli oil, commonly called the sate sauce. Beware! The sate sauce has the potential to literally burn your insides, so go easy on that particular condiment. Whatever your palate might be like, remember, the sauce is not compulsory; add it only if you do not like the taste of the soup.
Photo Credit:
https://ourdailybrine.com/nuoc-cham-vietnamese-dipping-sauce-recipe/
6. How You Should Eat Pho
Honestly, I would simply hold the bowl with both my hands and slurp in every drop of the delectable soup like a content child, and no one would give two hoots about it. However, for those of you who are more conscious in public, need to hold the chopsticks in your stronger hand, and the bowl in the other. Work on the noodles with the chopsticks, and once you finish eating them, sip the broth out of the bowl. That is the right way to enjoy a bowl of wholesome Pho.
Photo Credit:
http://savedbytheeggtimer.blogspot.in/2010/11/pho-bo-vietnamese-beef-noodle-soup.html
7. Clothing
Well, you must be wondering why on earth what you wear matters. All you are doing is having a bowl of soup. Yet, it is quite important to pay attention to your clothes on the day you decide to have Pho. That day would be like a play day, where you’d be experimenting with different condiments and herbs, slurping away to glory, creating art as you embark on one of the most beautiful gastronomical journeys of your life. You wouldn’t really want the best of your white clothes to be a souvenir of this journey, would you? So, pay heed to this advice, and wear darker clothes that are easy to wash off stains from.
Photo Credit:
http://maidenheadmum.blogspot.in/2014/02/mess-is-good-learning-curve-of-new-mum.html
8. The Aftermath
Now that you’ve had your Pho, going crazy with all the different sauces available, it is no wonder that you would feel the heat of the very potent Thai chillis in your mouth and in your tummy. Do you want to cool it off? Order a cà phê sua, which is a Vietnamese iced coffee made with condensed milk. In case you are not much of a coffee drinker, go for tea, which too can help alleviate the spice.
Photo Credit:
http://www.archcafe.net/vn/360%C2%B0-ca-phe/ca-phe-cuoc-song/mocha-su-tinh-te-giua-ca-phe-socola/
Now, go ahead and dive into the soupy goodness of Pho!
