# Pho bo (beef noodle soup) (from Helen's Recipes (Vietnamese Food))

Video: [PHO BO - Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup Recipe | Helen's Recipes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc) by [Helen's Recipes (Vietnamese Food)](https://www.youtube.com/@HelenRecipes).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with Helen's Recipes (Vietnamese Food). Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$5.18 per serving, ~$20.70 for ~4 portions (assumed); saves ~$10.82* per serving (68%) vs ordering out (~$16.00*). * Estimate: 16 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 4 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario bowl of beef pho at ~$16, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- beef bones beef bones
- 5-6 liters (plus extra for parboiling and blanching) water
- 1 tbsp (plus extra to taste) salt
- 1 tbsp (plus extra to taste) sugar
- 1 peeled onion yellow onion
- beef brisket slab beef brisket
- 2 thumb-sized pieces fresh ginger
- 3 star anise star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 black cardamom pods black cardamom pods
- 1 whole onion yellow onion
- optional coriander roots coriander roots
- seasoning powder to taste seasoning powder
- fish sauce to taste fish sauce
- thinly sliced raw beef (for rare beef pho) raw beef tenderloin
- 1 onion (thinly sliced for garnish) yellow onion
- scallions scallions
- Thai basil Thai basil
- sawtooth herb (culantro) sawtooth herb
- bean sprouts bean sprouts
- dried flat rice noodles dried pho rice noodles
- ground black pepper black pepper
- lime wedges for serving lime
- hoisin sauce (optional) hoisin sauce
- sriracha hot sauce (optional) sriracha

## Steps

1. [0:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=35s) Place the beef bones in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil over high heat, and boil for 5 to 10 minutes to release impurities.
2. [0:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=46s) Drain the bones and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to wash off all residue.
3. [1:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=105s) Transfer rinsed bones into a large clean pot with 5-6 liters of water, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, one peeled whole onion, and the beef brisket. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1-2 hours, skimming surface scum regularly.
4. [3:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=200s) Slice fresh ginger and halve a second onion. Char the ginger slices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, black cardamom pods, and halved onion directly over the stovetop burner until blackened in spots and aromatic.
5. [4:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=249s) Place the small charred spices into a disposable tea bag or spice pouch. Peel the charred onion halves, scrape off heavy black burnt areas, and rinse. Add the spice bag and charred onion to the simmering broth.
6. [5:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=335s) Once tender (around 90 minutes to 2 hours), remove the cooked beef brisket and submerge it in cold water for 10 minutes to avoid discoloration and drying. Discard the soft whole onion from the broth.
7. [5:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=350s) Season the broth to taste with seasoning powder, salt, sugar, and fish sauce, then let it continue simmering gently for a few more hours.
8. [6:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIjDYEs6Qc&t=400s) Thinly slice the cooled cooked brisket and optional raw beef. Finely slice yellow onion and soak in ice water to reduce pungency and add crunch. Chop green scallion tops and reserve the white stalks. Clean herbs and blanch bean sprouts in hot water for 10 seconds.
9. Soak dried pho noodles in cold water until softened, then dip in boiling water to heat through and rinse with cold and hot water to prevent sticking.
10. Assemble the bowls by adding noodles, sliced brisket, raw beef, scallion stalks, chopped scallions, paper-thin onion, and ground black pepper. Ladle boiling broth over the top and serve immediately with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, hoisin, and sriracha.

## Equipment

- large stockpot
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- tea filter bag
- skimmer / ladle
- spider strainer / noodle basket
- soup bowls

## What the video didn't say

- Exact total cook time and number of servings are not specified.
- Exact quantities of beef bones, brisket, noodles, and condiments were not given.

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/helens-recipes-pho-bo