Got 5 minutes? Then you've got time for this seriously delicious Faux Pho recipe.
There's a place not too far from me that serves up some pretty amazing pho dishes and I've tried just about all of them. It's gotten to the point where I crave it on cold days or if I'm not feeling up to par. Chicken noodle soup just doesn't do it for me anymore - I need the spiciness, heartiness and flavor of a really good Pho.
I'm frankly surprised that it's taken me this long to try my hand at making a pho recipe at home. This being a "faux" pho recipe, however, I suppose I can't really claim that I've made an authentic Pho recipe just yet. But it's my version and it tastes FANTASTIC. I took the liberty of adding an egg to the broth which thickens it and gives it a slightly creamy consistency which strays even further from authenticity. You can choose to skip the egg if that's not your thing.
This faux pho recipe could also be a great way to use up some leftover steak. You could easily make a bowl just for yourself for a quick lunch or dinner - just slice up whatever leftover steak you've got and toss it in. Flank, wagyu, brisket, braised, chuck roast and other steaks will all work.
What is Pho?
Pho is a Vietnamese soup typically served in a large bowl with a dish of extra ingredients on the side; bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, and jalapeno slices are just a few of the options.
Pronounced, "fuh", this can be a tricky meal to make authentically because there are a couple of "secret" weapons you should use when preparing this amazing soup. Once you know what they are, the real trick is simply getting the measurements correct as we'll see below.
Things To Know About 5-Minute Faux Pho
Notice the recipe above does not indicate whether the steak should be raw or cooked. This is one of the discoveries some newcomers to Vietnamese cooking make--there is a traditional thinly sliced beef Pho where the beef is added raw to the very hot soup right at the end. The hot soup cooks the thinly sliced raw beef, and it's delicious.
But if you aren't careful in the prep stage there may be a risk of food-borne illness. Cooked beef is the best for Pho beginners. Save the more traditional approach for after you're comfortable making the dish.
Upping Your Pho Game
This 5-minute Pho recipe may be most effective for people who have not experienced a bowl of authentic Pho yet. If you try this recipe as an experienced Pho eater, you will notice a distinct lack of some very important flavors in the mix. They include:
- Star anise
- Whole cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cardamom pods
- Coriander seeds
The good news is that you can still make this recipe fast AND get the full power of those seasonings simply by not using the ramen flavor packet, but swapping it out for a Pho bouillon cube instead.
These cubes have all the spices needed for a closer-to-authentic Pho taste. You can get these cubes in most Asian grocery stores, on Amazon, and sometimes in the International aisle of your local supermarket. One brand to consider trying: Bao Long Pho Spice Cubes, which are available on Amazon and are a popular staple in some shops.
There is one major thing to remember about Pho; it's a very flexible dish and there are few rules to follow unless you are dedicated to making a VERY authentic bowl of Pho.
Fusion approaches (adding ingredients not considered traditional, like adding kimchi to a taco) work very well when you are experimenting with a different culture's recipes. There are all kinds of traditional Pho including seafood versions, chicken, vegetarian options, and more. Of all the varieties, the vegetarian version may be the trickiest because a standard feature of Pho is a rich beef stock
Top it with your favorite Pho toppings and you'll be in faux heaven pho sho!
More great soup recipes:
- Lobster Bisque with Old Bay Oyster Crackers
- Japanese Udon Noodle Bowls {20-minute meal}
- Green Bay Booyah Recipe
- Oyster Stew Recipe
- Avgolemono Soup (Chicken Soup with Egg and Lemon)
5-Minute Quick Faux Pho Recipe
This fast pho recipe is for those that don't have a whole day to make pho.
Ingredients
- 2 packages beef ramen
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha hot sauce
- 1 egg
- ¼ pound flank steak (sliced very thinly)
- Toppings of your choice, see notes for recommendations
Instructions
- Prepare the ramen according to package directions. You will want to include the flavor packet, but fish sauce and ramen seasoning can both be high in sodium.
- Consider adding both seasonings gradually and taste as you go. If you add too much of either, you may be able to even the soup out by adding a bit more water but don’t add too much at once. You can add it gradually and taste it as you go in the same way as the seasonings themselves.
- Wait until the ramen is one minute away from being done before you add the beef, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. You can add the egg and stir it to break up the yolk and help the egg cook in the broth. Remove from heat and serve immediately with your preferred toppings from the ingredient list.
Notes
Topping Recommendations: Sliced jalapeno, chopped scallions, bean sprouts, basil leaves, cilantro leaves, mint (spearmint is most common), lime wedges, jalapeno, chili sauce, Sriracha, onion.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 828Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 363mgSodium: 3609mgCarbohydrates: 110gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 68g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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RP says
Love it!
Kristy Bernardo says
AWESOME!!
Jay Montalbo says
Try using this + adding 1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon (to taste) of Chinese Five Spice Seasoning! The five spice has star anise + anise + cinnamon + cloves + garlic which are basically many of the ingredients used in real pho so it imitates the flavor extremely well for cheap!
Kristy Bernardo says
Oh...that sounds delicious! Great addition, Jay!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
Our family loves pho and we go to our local pho restaurant once a month. I need to try your recipe out on our family 🙂
Kristy Bernardo says
It's so comforting, isn't it? There's just nothing like it 🙂
Blessing says
I love noodles and I love the look of this dish Kristy. I will definitely give it a try.
Million thanks for sharing the recipe.
Kristy Bernardo says
A million thanks back at ya'!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
This cheater recipe is brilliant! I admit that I grew up in the \ramen\ generation, so I still have a soft spot for that stuff. I need to find a gluten-free one so the husband can enjoy this, too!
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks, Alisa!
heather @french press says
I'm actually under the weather today, and this would be a perfect lunch
Kristy Bernardo says
Sorry to hear you're under the weather, heather!
Christie says
I am totally putting beef ramen on my grocery list now so that I can make your pho. Your version seems so doable at home. Sometimes the list of ingredients is so long and daunting. Yours is perfect
Kristy Bernardo says
Thanks so much, Christie! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
John Starks says
LOVE Pho!!!
Try the real way its soo easy and best in a crock pot cook at least 6 - 8 hrs... I even have a chicken breast version that I simply cannot share with others cuz I cant stop eating it Yummmm
the wicked noodle says
I'm definitely planning on trying it soon, John! LOVE the slow-cooker idea - thanks!
Adam @ CorrChilled says
Wow, this is so quick and tasty!
the wicked noodle says
It is! You'll love it, Adam!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I'm hungry after staring at those photos. YUM.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Aimee!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
What a beautiful dish!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Ashley!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I have never had Pho before but I love how this looks! Definitely need to try!
the wicked noodle says
Oohh...you should try it, Nancy! You'll wonder how you ever lived without it 🙂 Thanks for the comment, cheers!
Kendra says
Do you include the spice packet from ramen or just the noodles?
the wicked noodle says
Yes, you do include the spice packet.
Donalyn@TheCreeksideCook says
I love the idea of this easy version of a great dish. Pho is comfort food to me - I love the depth of flavor and the spiciness. It is time consuming though, so I appreciate this one!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, Donalyn!
Winnie says
I love pho and this version is genius!
Winnie says
I love pho and your 5-minute version is genius!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks so much, Winnie! 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Faux pho? Fun title! And I like quickie recipes full of flavor like this. Super job -- thanks.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, John!