world cultures & travelWikipediaearly 20th century · Nam Định, Vietnam

Pho is a recent Vietnamese noodle soup that spread around the world after the Vietnam War

the gist

Pho is a Vietnamese soup of broth, rice noodles, herbs and usually beef or chicken. It first appears in written records in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam, which makes it a relatively recent dish. Its origins are debated because documentation is limited, but French and Chinese culinary traditions are believed to have influenced both the dish and its name. The Hanoi and Saigon styles differ in noodle width, broth sweetness and the herbs and sauces served with it. After the Vietnam War, refugees carried pho to countries around the world, where it became one of the best-known Vietnamese foods.

how it works

Pho's broth is built by simmering beef bones, aromatics such as charred onion and ginger, and spices for hours. The broth is poured over rice noodles and topped with thinly sliced meat, herbs and condiments. Diners adjust the flavour with lime, chilli and sauces.

so what

Pho shows how a dish built on colonial-era influences can become a national symbol and then a global food. Its regional styles reflect how Vietnam's north and south developed different tastes. The story of its spread is also a story of migration and diaspora communities building new restaurants abroad.

fun fact

Vietnam has a national Day of Pho, celebrated each year on December 12, which was established in 2017.

more on this

longer watch · 37:14

37:14

A Day in Van Cu: The Tiny Village That (Probably) Created Pho

OTR Food & History on YouTube ↗

Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image: Wikimedia Commons