In this classic soup, paper-thin slices of raw beef are cooked with rice noodles in individual serving bowls into which hot spiced beef stock has been added. For a more authentic tasting pho, use pho stock cubes bought from an Asian grocer.
This is a great place to start if you want to get into the vast array of amazing Asian soups. The serve yourself platter of sauces & herbs not only allows you to play with the various flavours and seasonigs ad hoc but it also makes this dish extremely easy to make. I found the standard liquid beef stock available at the supermarket a bit too strong so I have run straight out to the Asian grocers and gotten the pho stock cubes available there - my Vietnamese friend said that's how she makes it at home for a quick & easy midweek meal anyway. If I didn't get those I'd suggest trying a chicken stock instead. Lastly, don't be scared about just letting the soup cook the raw meat - you can see it cook straight away and leaves the meat so tender. Delicious! - 12 Jul 2009
Used different ingredients. Try chicken stock instead - 12 Jul 2009
Basically, I have a recommendation for authentic vietnamese pho. Go to your local oriental/world food mart and buy the actual pho broth cubes. Just ask the cashier. They come in small packages of 6. This makes the pho taste authentic, rather than making your own broth or buying american beef broth. Happy eating!! - 05 Jan 2003 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)