Simple Korean-Style Pho
Easy Homemade Korean-Style Pho Recipe Using Market Ingredients
Craving pho but found yourself at the market without star anise or cilantro? We’ve all been there! Don’t worry, this recipe is for a simple, Korean-style pho that uses easily accessible ingredients. It’s a quick and delicious way to enjoy the comforting flavors of pho right at home, without needing specialty items. Perfect for a cozy meal!
Main Ingredients- Rice noodles 200g
- Store-bought beef bone broth 350ml
- Beef for soup 250g
- Fresh bean sprouts 2 handfuls
- 1 Onion
Optional Ingredients (For Extra Flavor)- Spicy Cheongyang chili pepper (to taste)
- Lemon juice (for garnish)
Broth Seasoning- Fish sauce (Korean anchovy sauce preferred) 1.5 Tbsp
Measuring Tools- Standard Korean soup spoon for measurement
- Spicy Cheongyang chili pepper (to taste)
- Lemon juice (for garnish)
Broth Seasoning- Fish sauce (Korean anchovy sauce preferred) 1.5 Tbsp
Measuring Tools- Standard Korean soup spoon for measurement
- Standard Korean soup spoon for measurement
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
This recipe uses store-bought beef bone broth and Korean anchovy sauce for a simple, delicious Korean-style pho. 🍜
Step 2
First, soak the rice noodles in cold water for about 30 minutes until they are softened. This step ensures the noodles will be tender and absorb the broth beautifully.
Step 3
Thinly slice one onion. Adding onion to the broth will release its natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Step 4
Pour one pack (350ml) of store-bought beef bone broth into a pot and add about 4 cups of water (approx. 800ml). You can adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired broth consistency. Using two packs of broth is also perfectly fine. A generous amount of broth is key to a flavorful pho.
Step 5
Add the beef for soup to the broth and bring it to a boil. The beef will add a rich depth of flavor to the broth as it cooks.
Step 6
As the beef simmers, skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface. This is an important step for a clear and clean-tasting broth.
Step 7
Once the foam is removed, add the sliced onions to the broth and continue to simmer until the onions are tender and translucent.
Step 8
While traditional pho uses fish sauce, we’ll add 1.5 tablespoons of Korean anchovy sauce (or regular fish sauce) for a similar umami boost with a Korean twist. Adjust the amount to your preference.
Step 9
If you like a bit of heat, add one or two finely chopped Cheongyang chili peppers. Their spicy kick will add another layer of complexity to the broth.
Step 10
And just like that, your simple yet deeply flavorful pho broth is ready! You’re almost done.
Step 11
Arrange the rehydrated rice noodles in a serving bowl.
Step 12
Place a generous handful of fresh bean sprouts on top of the noodles. Then, ladle the hot broth over the noodles and sprouts about 4 to 5 times (this is called ‘to-ryeom’ in Korean, a gentle warming process). This method heats the sprouts while keeping them crisp and infuses the noodles with the broth’s flavor. (Beginner Tip: If ‘to-ryeom’ seems tricky, you can simply add the noodles and sprouts to the hot broth in the pot and let them steep for a minute.)
Step 13
If you chose to steep the noodles and sprouts directly in the broth, first remove the noodles and beef. If the broth has reduced, add a little water to adjust the consistency and seasoning before pouring it into the bowl. This ensures the broth is perfect even if it thickens during cooking. 😀
Step 14
As you can see, you don’t need any difficult-to-find ingredients to make a wonderfully savory and satisfying Korean-style pho. Enjoy your homemade pho!
