Pho 101
Learn About Vietnamese Pho
Everything first-time visitors and pho lovers need to know about this iconic Vietnamese dish
About Pho By Night
Pho By Night is a family-run Vietnamese pho restaurant in Ottawa's ByWard Market, serving our community since 2000.
Our family prepares traditional Vietnamese dishes using recipes and cooking methods passed down through generations. Many guests visiting us are trying pho for the first time, so we created this guide to help you understand what pho is and how Vietnamese families actually enjoy it.
25+
Years Serving Ottawa
12+
Hours Broth Simmering
3
Generations of Recipes
How to Eat Pho the Traditional Way
Follow these steps to enjoy Vietnamese pho the way it was meant to be eaten.
Taste the broth first
This is the most important step. Savour the clear, aromatic broth before adding anything else.
Add lime
Squeeze fresh lime to brighten the broth and add a citrus note.
Add fresh herbs
Thai basil, bean sprouts, and cilantro add freshness and balance the rich broth.
Dip, don't pour
Use hoisin and chili sauce as a dipping sauce for the meat rather than mixing it into the soup.
Pro tip: In Vietnam, sauces like hoisin sauce and chili sauce (Sriracha) are used as a dipping sauce for the meat rather than mixing it into the soup. Adding too much sauce can overpower the carefully crafted broth.
What to Order Your First Time
New to Vietnamese cuisine? Here are our top recommendations for first-time guests at Pho By Night.
Rare Beef Pho
Traditional and most popular — thinly sliced rare beef that cooks in the hot broth
Chicken Pho
Lighter and comforting — great for those new to Vietnamese cuisine
Fresh Salad Rolls
Perfect to share — rice paper rolls with shrimp, herbs, and vermicelli
Why Pho By Night's Broth Is Different
12+ Hours of Slow Simmering
Our beef broth cooks overnight. Long simmering extracts deep flavour from bones and spices while keeping the broth clear, never cloudy or greasy.
No Instant Bases or Shortcuts
We don't use instant broth bases or MSG flavour packets. The taste comes from real beef bones, roasted aromatics, and traditional Vietnamese spices.
Fresh Herbs Served Daily
Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, and cilantro are prepared fresh each day so you can customize every bowl to your liking.
Halal-Friendly Options
Our beef and chicken are halal-certified, making our pho accessible to more guests while maintaining authentic Vietnamese flavours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pho
Common questions from first-time visitors and pho enthusiasts.