Pho is among the Vietnamese population. Pho or noodle is commonly eaten for breakfast, although many people will have it for their lunch or dinner. Anyone feeling hungry in the small hours of the morning can also enjoy a bowl of hot and spicy pho to fill their empty stomachs.
Pho is a traditional food of Vietnam that is well-known as the soul of. The attraction of Pho is not argued because the delicious flavor of Pho is recognized by many food addicts. Nowadays, Pho is not only the pride of Vietnamese people and Vietnamese cuisine but also contributing its part to advertise the images of Vietnam in the eyes of the international friends. Although Pho is worldwide known in the world, not many people know about the origin and the development of Pho in Vietnam and how Pho conquers the tongues of the food lovers.
There is no certain evidence showing the appearance of Pho in Vietnam cuisine, but people predicted that Pho firstly appeared in the north of Vietnam in the early 20th century. The story told that there was a man in Nam Dinh province in northern Vietnam going to Hanoi to work for the French. He was a Van Cu villager, Van Cu village was famous for making the noodle for generations. So, when he went to Hanoi, he brought along the job of making noodle. During the time living with the French, he learnt the French cuisine and created a dish combining the Vietnamese cooking style and French style. Firstly, Pho was cooked with the beef- the beef is a favorite dish of the French. When he served this dish to the French, they enjoyed and wowed “pot au feu”, and then people called this dish as Pho.
Then, Pho received the welcome of Hanoi people as well as northern Vietnamese people. Pho appeared on the street hawks and along the foot of the vendors to the corner of Hanoi. After the victory of Dien Bien Phu and Geneva Agreement in 1954, Vietnam was divided into two. Thousands of northern Vietnamese people migrated to the south to escape the control of the communists. And Pho went into the south with the immigrates. In the south, southern people quickly adopted Pho and changed it in their taste. Pho in the south is sweeter and spicier. The southern people often eat Pho with the refesh vegetables and herbs while the northern people do not.
The journey of Pho has not stopped when the government of the southern Vietnam collapsed, Vietnam again gained the independence. A large number of anti-communist people left the country to the United States. Pho again along their foot settled in a new land and has changed due to the rare native ingredients.
Nowadays, Pho appears in almost Vietnamese restaurants in the world and becomes the most famous Vietnamese dish that represents for Vietnam cuisine.
Like hot green tea which has its particular fragrance, pho also has its special taste and smell. Preparations may vary, but when the dish is served, its smell and taste is indispensable. The grated rice noodle is made of the best variety of fragrant rice called Gao Te. The broth for Pho Bo (Pho with beef) is made by stewing the bones of cows and pigs in a large pot for a long time. Pieces of fillet mignon together with several slices of ginger are reserved for Pho Bo Tai (rare fillet). Slices of well done meat are offered to those less keen on eating rare fillets.
In order to make the best Pho, the broth is considered the most important thing. It is really hard to make a delicious broth. The chefs rely on a well-made soup stock and a cleverly formulated spice mix that primarily uses anise and cinnamon, with touches of cardamom, fennel, and cloves. Roasted onions and sliced ginger add a final, herbal top note to the soup.
The soup for Pho Ga (pho with chicken meat) is made by stewing chicken and pig bones together. The white chicken meat that is usually served with Pho Ga is boneless and cut into thin slices. You could consider Pho Bo and Pho Ga Vietnam‘s special soups. Pho also has the added advantage of being convenient to prepare and healthy to eat.
Although Pho is available in every restaurants in Vietnam and Vietnamese restaurants in other countries, the most delicious Pho is always Pho Hanoi because this city is the homeland of Pho where the soul of Pho is intact.
When coming to Vietnam, you definitely feast yourself a bowl of Pho. Let’s visit Vietnam to enjoy the numerous tasty dishes and explore . If you have any inquiries, please contact us via See you soon in Vietnam!