Not just a simple bowl of traditional pho, but many new versions of this dish have appeared, bearing the personal mark and creativity of each restaurant. From unique pho cocktails to delicious pho burgers, each variation brings a new and interesting experience to diners.
Despite the many variations, it is notable that most chefs still maintain the original essence and flavor of pho. Even new variations are often created based on and respect for the original of this dish.
This not only demonstrates the creativity and flexibility of Vietnamese cuisine but also shows the pride and love for the homeland in preserving and developing the country's culinary cultural heritage. Through the combination of tradition and modernity, Pho is not only a dish but also a part of Vietnamese culture, attracting the attention and exploration of domestic and foreign tourists.
Vietnamese Pho is considered a "symphony of flavors"
In addition to the traditional cooking methods, today, pho is also varied by many restaurants and street stalls. Instead of using rare beef in the traditional way, chefs have been creative by replacing this type of meat with other options such as flank steak (nâm), brisket (gầu) and beef stewed in wine (bồ nước vang).
UNIQUE VARIATIONS OF PHO
STIR-FRIED PHO
Pho stir-fry is a variation of pho that is very familiar to Vietnamese people. Instead of using vermicelli or glass noodles as the basic part of stir-fry, pho stir-fry is made from pho noodles and fried with onions, garlic and vegetables mixed with beef or kidney. Pho stir-fry is usually served with rice paper and pho broth.
New stir-fried pho dish with rich flavor
PHO BURGER
A prime example is the pho burger introduced by McDonald's in 2020. The beef in the burger is marinated in a rich pho sauce, giving the dish its signature flavor. The sauce is spiced with coriander and star anise, two essential ingredients in traditional pho.
The dish causes a lot of controversy about its taste for diners.
ROLLING RICE NOODLES
Pho tai lan is an interesting and long-standing variation of Vietnamese pho. A deep pan is heated to a high heat, then the chef will add garlic, ginger and beef, stir quickly, pour into the bowl and pour in the pho broth. This elaborate method gives pho tai lan a richer flavor than traditional pho.
A bowl of pho at the restaurant is quite full, the pho noodles are boiled until soft, the noodles are thick, white and chewy. The beef is soft, fragrant, sweet, not too chewy and has no unpleasant smell. The broth is fatty and rich with a layer of lard on top.
One of the key ingredients of Pho Tai Lan is beef. The cook must carefully select the freshest beef from reputable establishments.
PHO CHUA
A lesser-known variation of pho is pho chua. Pho chua is a famous specialty of Lang Son, attracting tourists with its unique flavor, different from traditional pho dishes. It is still the familiar pho noodles, but the noodles in pho chua are a bit firmer so that they do not fall apart when mixed. The pho noodles are still boiled in warm water before being mixed, so the dish does not turn cold.
Lang Son sour pho: delicious dish with strange name
This dish is made from a variety of ingredients such as shredded chicken, taro, sweet potato, rice noodles, char siu, fried onions, Chinese sausage... creating a variety of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. The highlight that creates the sour taste is the sauce made from vinegar and sugar, when eaten, it will be served with herbs.
PHO COCKTAIL
The dish is inspired by the distinctive flavors of traditional pho, combined with the creativity of modern mixing. Pho Cocktail was created by Vietnamese chef, Peter Cuong Franklin, the first Michelin chef in Vietnam.
Pho is considered the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. Although there are many variations of pho, cocktail is definitely the most unique version that diners have ever heard of.
The mild sweetness of the pho broth, made from beef bones, can be enhanced with a little sugar, creating a smooth, mellow taste on the tongue. The combination of this sweetness with the sourness of lime, chili and cinnamon creates a balanced feeling, making the taste of pho richer and more diverse.
It is impossible not to mention the strong aroma of herbs such as coriander and basil when enjoying this dish. This aroma not only makes the pho dish more rich but also stimulates the taste and smell of the person enjoying it.
Pho is not only the national dish of Vietnam but also the inspiration for many chefs to create unique variations, bringing new culinary experiences to diners.
