The Ultimate Guide to Vietnamese Pho

Pho (pronounced "fuh") is a Vietnamese noodle soup that has become one of the most beloved dishes in the world. At its core, pho consists of three essential elements: a slow-simmered aromatic broth, flat rice noodles called banh pho, and thinly sliced meat — traditionally beef or chicken. It is served with a plate of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and chili, allowing each person to customise their bowl at the table.

Pho originated in northern Vietnam in the early 1900s, most likely in the Nam Dinh province or Hanoi. Its creation was influenced by both Chinese and French colonial culinary traditions — the slow-simmered bone broth technique and the use of aromatic spices. The word "pho" may derive from the French pot-au-feu (a French beef stew) or from the Cantonese word for rice noodles. Regardless of its etymological origins, pho quickly became the defining dish of Vietnamese cuisine.

After the partition of Vietnam in 1954, millions of northerners migrated south, bringing their pho recipes with them. Southern Vietnamese adapted the dish, adding more herbs, bean sprouts, hoisin sauce, and sriracha — creating the style most commonly found in restaurants outside Vietnam today. The fall of Saigon in 1975 led to a Vietnamese diaspora that spread pho across the globe, from Paris to Sydney to Ottawa.

Today, pho is considered the national dish of Vietnam. It is eaten at all hours — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and is found everywhere from humble street stalls to upscale restaurants. In Vietnam, pho vendors have been perfecting their family recipes for generations, often guarding their spice blends and broth techniques as closely held secrets. At Pho By Night, our family has been doing exactly this for over 26 years.

The broth is the soul of pho. A great bowl of pho is defined not by its toppings or noodles, but by the quality and depth of its broth. At Pho By Night, our broth is the product of 12+ hours of slow, patient simmering — a process that cannot be rushed or replicated with shortcuts.

It begins with beef bones — a combination of marrow bones and knuckle bones that provide collagen, minerals, and body. The bones are first blanched to remove impurities, then transferred to a clean pot and covered with fresh water. This is the foundation of a clear, clean-tasting broth rather than a cloudy, murky one.

The aromatics are what make pho broth unmistakably Vietnamese. Charred onion and ginger are the first additions — blackened over an open flame until their skins blister and their sugars caramelise, adding a subtle smokiness and sweetness. Then come the spices: star anise for its distinctive liquorice-like warmth, cinnamon sticks (Vietnamese cassia cinnamon) for gentle sweetness, whole cloves for depth, coriander seeds for earthiness, and cardamom pods for aromatic complexity.

The broth simmers at a low, gentle heat — never a rolling boil, which would cloud the liquid and produce a greasy texture. Over 12 hours, the collagen from the bones dissolves into gelatin, giving the broth its signature silky body. The spices infuse slowly, creating layers of flavour that unfold with each sip. The result is a broth that is simultaneously light and deeply satisfying — aromatic, clear, and complex.

This is the process that separates authentic pho from imitations. There are no bouillon cubes, no flavour packets, no shortcuts. Just bones, spices, time, and the expertise of cooks who have been making this exact broth for decades. When you taste our broth at Pho By Night, you are tasting 26 years of family tradition in every spoonful.

At Pho By Night, we are proud to offer halal-friendly pho options for Ottawa's diverse community. Our chicken pho is made with halal-certified chicken, slow-simmered in our traditional broth with the same care and authenticity as every other dish on our menu.

Vietnamese cuisine is naturally well-suited to halal preparation. Many traditional Vietnamese dishes rely on chicken, seafood, and vegetables as their primary proteins, making them easily adaptable. Our halal-certified chicken pho, along with several other menu items, allows Muslim diners to enjoy authentic Vietnamese flavours without compromise.

We understand that dining out as a Muslim family requires trust and transparency. Our staff is knowledgeable about our halal options and happy to answer any questions about our ingredients and preparation methods. Learn more on our dedicated Halal Pho Ottawa page.