🍜 Pho: What It Is, How to Make It & Why It’s a Global Favorite

Pho (pronounced fuh) is a fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup known for its rich, clear broth, flat rice noodles, and savory toppings. Originating in Northern Vietnam, pho has grown into a globally loved dish, often compared to Japanese ramen—but it has its own unique character, flavor, and cultural roots.

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🔢 How Many Calories Are in Pho?

Pho Type

Calories

Protein

Carbs

Fat

Beef Pho

350–500 kcal

25–35g

40–55g

6–12g

Chicken Pho

300–450 kcal

22–32g

38–50g

4–9g

Brisket Pho

400–550 kcal

28–38g

40–55g

10–18g

Shrimp Pho

300–400 kcal

20–28g

38–50g

3–7g

Vegan Pho

250–350 kcal

8–15g

42–55g

2–6g

*Per restaurant-size bowl. Home versions can be lower.

Want to control exactly what goes in your bowl? Making pho at home is easier than you think — and you can cut sodium by 40% just by using a lighter broth. Find community pho recipes on Cookpad:

👉 Beef Pho recipes | Chicken Pho recipes | Vegan Pho recipes

🌍 What Is Pho & Where Is It From?

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup made with a slow-cooked aromatic broth, rice noodles, and typically beef or chicken. The dish emerged in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam and became a national staple after the country’s reunification.

Vietnamese beef pho⏱ 6 hrsBeef bones, shanks, knuckles etc, onions, Large ginger, Pho spices, Beef or chicken granulated boullion

🧂 Pho Ingredients: What’s in Pho?

Core Ingredients:

Pho broth (made from beef or chicken bones, spices, and herbs)
Rice noodles (flat, medium-thick)
Protein (beef slices, chicken, tofu, brisket, shrimp)
Pho seasoning: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, coriander, ginger
Toppings: bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, hoisin, chili, green onions

You can customize pho with variations like vegan pho, brisket pho, or spicy seafood pho.

Mike's "What The Fuh?" Phở⏱ 1 Hour● For The Meats & Seafoods, Raw Thin Sliced Roast Beef [room temp], Rare Cooked Thin Sliced Brisket [room temp], LG Lightly Presteamed Peeled Deveined Shrimp, ● For The Basic Phở Broth [you may not need all broth]

🔪 How to Make Pho at Home

🥣 How to Make Pho Broth

Step 1: Roast beef or chicken bones (or veggies for vegan pho). Step 2: Simmer with aromatics—ginger, onion, star anise, cinnamon—for 3–6 hours. Step 3: Skim impurities, then season with fish sauce, salt, and sugar. Step 4: Cook noodles separately. Pour broth over noodles and protein. Top with herbs and lime.

🐮 Popular Pho Types:

Beef pho (pho bo)
Chicken pho (pho ga)
Vegan pho (tofu & veggie broth)
Brisket pho
Seafood or shrimp pho
Spicy pho with chili oil or sriracha

Phở Bò⏱ 6 tiếng (hoặc hơn) · 📸 1bánh phở, xương bò, sụn, thịt thăn bò (ăn tái), nạm gầu

Faux "Pho" 🍜 Easy Shrimp Noodle Soupgrated fresh ginger, brown sugar, fish sauce, Juice of 1 fresh lime, garlic cloves, minced

Vegan Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup)⏱ 90 minsyellow onion, peeled, cut into large chunks, shallots, peeled, cut in half, garlic, cut in half, chunck ginger, peeled, cut in half, cinnamon stick, cut in half

Phở Gà⏱ 2 tiếng · 📸 2gà trống đã làm sạch cân được 2.3kg, hành tây, hành tím lột vỏ ngoài, rửa sạch, để nguyên vỏ lụa, gừng to, lá chanh

🍲 Is Pho Healthy?

Yes, pho is considered healthy—especially when made at home with fresh ingredients.

✅ Health Benefits of Pho:

High in protein and collagen (especially bone broth versions)
Low in fat (depending on cuts of meat used)
Contains herbs and spices with anti-inflammatory properties
Naturally dairy-free and often gluten-free

Phở bò (công thức ninh xương)📸 1xương sườn bò, Phở, gừng, hành tây, vài củ hành tím, Gia vị nấu phở: tiểu hồi, đại hồi, đinh hương, quế cây, hạt ngò, thảo quả (siêu thị có bán gói đầy đủ)

🔎 Is Pho Gluten-Free?

Traditional pho is naturally gluten-free as it uses rice noodles and contains no wheat—just be sure to use gluten-free soy or fish sauce in the broth.

🔢 Pho Calories & Nutrition

How Many Calories in Pho?

Beef pho: ~350–500 kcal per bowl
Chicken pho: ~300–450 kcal
Vegan pho: ~250–350 kcal
Brisket pho: ~400–550 kcal
Shrimp pho: ~300–400 kcal

Pho Noodle Soup Nutrition (Approx. per serving):

Carbs: 35–50g
Protein: 20–30g
Fat: 5–15g
Sodium: 800–1200mg (can be reduced by using low-sodium broth)

Phở gà nấm đông cô⏱ 1-2 tiếng · 📸 3gà mái dầu (1.6kg), nước lọc, củ hành tây to, muối, nước mắm

🍜 Ramen vs Pho: What’s the Difference?

Feature

Pho

Ramen

Origin

Vietnam

Japan

Broth Base

Clear, bone-based, aromatic

Cloudy, pork/chicken/soy

Noodles

Flat rice noodles

Curly wheat noodles

Toppings

Herbs, lime, bean sprouts

Egg, seaweed, corn, bamboo

Flavor

Light, fresh, herbal

Rich, umami, salty

Pho is lighter and more herbal, while ramen is richer and saltier.

Pho is more than just a soup—it’s a comforting, nutrient-rich dish deeply rooted in Vietnamese tradition. From beef pho with brisket to light vegan pho or spicy shrimp pho, it’s incredibly customizable and easier to make than you think. The key lies in a well-crafted pho broth full of spices and love.