DIY Herb mixture to cook Vietnamese Pho Noodles (Phở)

Hi everyone,

Finally I could feel the fall here! I’m so excited that the weather is getting colder and colder. So weird, but moving from a place of 9-month snow to a place of 9-month hot weather makes me feel that way. We’ve been waiting for the snow once a year, and sometimes we are not that lucky to see the snow, like last year. But anyway, I like the cold weather because I think it makes me hungry. I always see myself with a very hot bowl of Pho in the winter time. Eating Pho at the cold weather is such a “sweet” treat for me. It can warm me up and make me feel so thrilled.

My “sweet” treat during cold weather – A hot and earthy bowl of Beef Pho (Phở bò)

I’ve introduced you the recipe to cook Beef Pho (Pho Bo) last time and I find that it’s not that difficult to look for all the ingredients to make Pho though you might live in anywhere. I usually lived in places that don’t have any Asian market, so stocking for some herbs and spices to make Pho is a must. I usually buy a lot of pre-made mixes of Pho spices but I realize that it is so expensive to buy that way ($1.99 per pack). I can make my own mixes of those spices and herbs and adjust according to my preference. Moreover, making my own herb mixes is super easy and fast. I can pull out all those ingredients to cook Pho at anytime I want. So if you are like me, you can just invest in bunches of herbs and spices and make your own mixture to cook Pho the way that you like.

All the herbs and spices that contribute to a good Pho (Vietnamese Pho Noodles)

Before we jump in to the recipe of the Pho spices and herbs, let me break it down a bit by talking about the five spices to cook Pho. The mixture of the herbs usually includes 5 types, which are: star anise (hoa hồi or đại hồi), coriander seeds (hạt mùi or hạt ngò), cinnamon (quế), cloves (đinh hương) and black cardamom (thảo quả). However, in this recipe I add fennel (tiểu hồi hương) as I see that in the pre-made mixture and find that it makes Pho even better.

I find at the way Vietnamese people cook Pho is also different from different locations and so the mixture of the herbs and spices could be varied a bit. I actually create this recipe by experimenting while I cook Pho with the pre-mixed spices and adjust to my taste of Pho from the north and I found this is the best and it’s very convenient to have all the herbs on hand. It would only take you a few minutes to mix the herbs and spices, so you could do it when you are preparing to cook Pho or you could even make your own pre-mixture and pull it out whenever you need. This recipe is for one pot of about 6-7-liter Pho broth

Easy and fast herb mixture to cook Pho

1. Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons Fennel (Tiểu hồi hương)(about 6 grams)
• 3 Tablespoons  Coriander seeds(Hạt mùi)(about 15 grams)
• 1 teaspoon Cloves(Đinh hương)(about 2 grams)
• 2 Black cardamon (Thảo quả)(about 5 grams)
• 1 Cinnamon stick (Quế)(about 20 grams)
• 5-6 cái Star anises  (Hoa hồi)(about 5 grams)
• Tools: Braised bags / Filter bags(Disposable type or cheese cloth)

2. Instructions:

• Measure and gather all the ingredients
  

  Measure all the ingredients

• Mix the herbs and pour all in a braised bag.
  

  Mix and pour all the ingredients to a braised bag

• Use the mixture immediately or store it in a dry and cool place.
  

  Use it immediately or store in a cook, dry place

The herb mixture is a spirit of Pho so I am so happy that could make it myself. Therefore, I would know what is exactly inside of the bag and I am sure to buy a very good quality of the herbs and spices without spending a lot of money. Overall, I think it is such an economical way for people who cook Pho all the time like me.

If you want to try and start explore the way we cook Pho, please check this recipe out:

https://en.candycancook.com2014/10/pho-bo-vietnamese-beef-noodles/

DIY Herb mixture of Vietnamese Pho Noodles (Phở)

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Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

1. Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons Fennel (Tiểu hồi hương)(about 6 grams)
• 3 Tablespoons  Coriander seeds(Hạt mùi)(about 15 grams)
• 1 teaspoon Cloves(Đinh hương)(about 2 grams)
• 2 Black cardamon (Thảo quả)(about 5 grams)
• 1 Cinnamon stick (Quế)(about 20 grams)
• 5-6 cái Star anises (Hoa hồi) (about 5 grams)
• Tools: Braised bags / Filter bags(Disposable type or cheese cloth)

Instructions

• Measure and gather all the ingredients
• Mix the herbs and pour all in a braised bag.
• Use the mixture immediately or store it in a dry and cool place.