It’s All About The Phở
Phở, pronounced “fuh”, is a traditional Vietnamese dish that is as varied and diverse as the regions they come from and the individuals who eat it. Normally made with bone broth, rice noodles, thinly sliced meat, and fresh herbs, phở is a light and fresh meal for any time of day.
History of Phở
The original phở is called “phở bac” because it originated in northern Vietnam. Phở bac is made with beef bone broth, thinly sliced beef, and rice noodles. This phở took on a new twist as Vietnamese people moved south after World War II. In the south, phở bac was reborn as “phở nam.” Phở nam usually has a more seasoned broth and is heavily garnished with fresh herbs such as bean sprouts, basil, and cilantro.
The basics of eating phở
Phở is served as a bowl of broth and rice noodles. Garnishes and condiments are served as sides so that the dish can be tailored to your exact preferences. Typically, a person will first add their choice of meat to the bowl of broth. After adding the meat, you can add as much or as little of the garnishes as you would like. Common garnishes include bean sprouts, radishes, chilies, and herbs. Top off your bowl with the condiments of your choice, maybe a squeeze of lime, a dash of chili paste, or a bit of fish sauce. The beauty of phở is that the dish turns out as unique as you are.
Variations from beef phở
Beef phở is a very common type of phở, but there are many alternatives if beef is not your first choice. Pho ga (chicken phở), phở chay (vegetarian phở), bun bo hue (pork-based broth), and hu tieu (pork and seafood noodle soup) are all options that forego the beef in favor of other flavors. Different types of phở originated in different areas of Vietnam, so experiencing the different variations is a bit like traveling through the country.
Travel to Vietnam without leaving home
From the beautiful shores to the bustling cities to the green, misty mountain, Vietnam stretches more than 1,000 miles from north to south, and each region of Vietnam has its own flavor palette. The more simplified phở bac from the northern parts of Vietnam varies in flavor and complexity from its southern counterpart, phở nam. Take your taste buds on a tour of Vietnam by sampling phở vit (duck phở), originally from Cao Bang province in northern Vietnam, phở xao from Hanoi, or bun bo hue from central Vietnam.
Experience Vietnamese phở today
Phở Bistro in Centreville, VA, can bring a taste of Vietnam to you. With our diverse and flavorful menu filled with both traditional recipes and create new favorites, customers can experience Vietnamese cuisine without leaving Virginia. We would love to have you experience the best phở in Northern Virginia by visiting us at our newly renovated restaurant. If you prefer, take-out is also an option. Give us a call at (703) 266-8803, and your order will be hot and ready for carry-out when you arrive. We hope to see you soon!
