Experience Authentic Northern Vietnamese 

Pho Bo at Pho Quang Trung

Pho, the iconic Vietnamese noodle soup, has captured hearts worldwide with its fragrant broth and hearty ingredients. At Pho Quang Trung, we specialize in Northern Vietnamese food, with Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) being one of our top sellers. Our owner has been cooking pho for over 50 years, learning the craft from one of the original restaurants in Hanoi, Vietnam. Forced to leave the country to escape communism, he brought the recipe with him and has been serving it to the community for over 35 years. Keeping the tradition alive and sharing the flavors of home with a new community became a passion project for our owner. In this blog, we will dive deep into the authenticity of Northern Vietnamese Pho Bo, how it differs from Southern Pho, and how you can enjoy this culinary delight at Pho Quang Trung.

The Essence of Pho Bo: 

Pho Bo is a delectable beef noodle soup made with a variety of ingredients that not only tantalize your taste buds but also offer numerous health benefits. The preparation begins with a 200 qt stockpot filled with bones with tendons, bones with marrow, oxtails, flanks, briskets, grilled onions, grilled ginger, and a mix of aromatic spices including star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, and coriander seeds.

Health Benefits of Aromatic Spices:

• Star Anise: Rich in antioxidants, star anise also has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
• Cloves: Cloves contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help to keep your digestive system healthy.
•  Cinnamon Sticks: Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Fennel Seeds: Fennel seeds are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can help with digestion.
• Coriander Seeds: Coriander seeds help in reducing bad cholesterol and promote good cholesterol levels.

Together, these spices not only enhance the flavor of the pho but also contribute to its health-promoting properties.

The Nutrient-Rich Broth:

The ingredients are simmered for over 16 hours, allowing all the nutrients from the bones to be extracted, resulting in a naturally sweet and nutrient-rich broth. Bone broth is particularly healthy, rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and K2. It helps build strength in your own bones and keeps your body functioning to the best of its ability. After simmering, we filter out all the floating fats on top of the broth to cater to our loyal customers who prefer clear broth, meaning no fatty broth.

Customization Options:

At Pho Quang Trung, we understand that everyone has their own preference for how they enjoy their Pho Bo. We believe that food should be enjoyed just the way you like it, which is why we offer customization options for our Pho Bo. For that reason, our customers can request to have the plate of beef on the side. Some prefer raw beef steaks on the side as the broth is still at a hot temperature, so they can dip the raw steak into the soup to achieve a rare texture while maintaining its softness and sweetness.

The Beef Choices:

At Pho Quang Trung, we offer a variety of beef choices including tendons, rare hanger steaks, rare tenderloin steaks, tripes, briskets (fatty or lean), flank, crunchy part of flank (vè dòn), soft part of flank (vè mềm), and beef balls (bò viên).

The Noodles: We serve our Pho Bo with rice noodles, giving our customers the choice between thicker rice noodles, which have a softer and silkier texture, and thin rice noodles, which have a chewier texture and absorb the broth more. Both are great choices and can be enjoyed either way. The rice noodles are dipped in boiling water for a good 10 seconds. We also offer the option to substitute with egg noodles for those who want to stay away from rice.

The Garnish:

It is important to have the right amount of noodles in the broth, then layer the beef choices of your liking and pour the boiling broth over. We garnish with chopped cilantro and green onion, and slices of onion. Cilantro has antioxidant properties and can help reduce anxiety, while green onions are low in calories but high in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A.

The Condiments:

You can add hoisin sauce, chili sauce (house-made by Pho Quang Trung), or Sriracha sauce, and squeeze a little lime over the bowl.

The Side Plate: We serve a side plate of bean sprouts, which add a little crunch to the soup and are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Also included are sliced jalapenos, cilantro leaves, and basil. 

Steps to Start Eating a Bowl of Pho Bo:

1. Take a sip of the broth first. This will allow you to taste the rich flavors of the broth before mixing it with other ingredients.
2. With chopsticks (or a fork), grab the first piece of meat you want to eat. Dip that piece of meat into your premixed hoisin sauce and hot sauce.
3. Dip the sauce-covered meat back into the broth and then into your mouth. The juiciness of the beef, combined with the sauce and the juice of the broth, will start dancing in your mouth, creating a symphony of flavors.
4. Next, wrap some noodles with your chopstick and put them in your mouth. Now, you can experience all these textures and flavors in your mouth.
5. By the time you are done with the noodles and all the meat in the bowl, pick up the bowl and slurp down all the broth.

Conclusion:

Pho Bo is a delicious and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. At Pho Quang Trung, we take pride in offering authentic Northern Vietnamese Pho Bo, prepared with care and passion passed down from generations. We believe that both Northern and Southern styles of Pho are delightful, each defined by the textures and tastes available in their respective regions. It's all about using what is available and making the best out of it. The North is cooler, and the South is warmer, which influenced the vegetables and meats that were available and, consequently, the variations of Pho. We have created a place that serves food that feels like home to many people, reminding them of the meals they grew up eating, prepared by their parents or grandparents. We aim to bring that authenticity to the table, evoking memories of growing up through good times and bad times in Vietnam. Come and enjoy the authenticity of Northern Vietnamese Pho Bo at Pho Quang Trung and experience the symphony of flavors and textures in your mouth, as well as the feeling of a home-cooked meal that brings back great memories of growing up. We invite you to experience the authentic flavors and warm hospitality at Pho Quang Trung.

For more stories and a look at our vibrant Northern Vietnamese dishes, please visit our website at phoquangtrungrestaurant.com.

Are you a Pho enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys exploring authentic Vietnamese cuisine? Connect with us on Instagram @phoquangtrung to stay updated on our latest dishes, special offers, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our kitchen.