
Super Simple Pho with Store-Bought Sauce
Super Simple Pho with Store-Bought Sauce
Quick & Easy Homemade Pho Using a Pre-made Sauce
Craving a comforting bowl of pho? Imagine the amazing flavors from famous Vietnamese restaurants during your travels! Now, you can recreate that authentic taste right at home with this incredibly simple recipe using a store-bought sauce. It’s perfect for those days when you want delicious pho without the fuss.
Main Ingredients- Rice noodles for Pho, 2 servings (choose thickness to your preference)
- Beef for Shabu-shabu, 150g (tender cuts recommended)
- 1 Onion (medium size)
- Bean sprouts, 200g
- 1 Green onion (white part mainly)
- 10 Tbsp Store-bought Pho sauce (adjust to taste based on product)
- 2 Korean green chilies (optional, for extra spice)
Onion Pickle & Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (apple cider vinegar, brown rice vinegar, etc.)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (granulated or brown sugar)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (apple cider vinegar, brown rice vinegar, etc.)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (granulated or brown sugar)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel and wash the onion. Then, thinly slice it into julienne strips. Thin slicing helps to mellow out its sharpness and improves the texture. Soak the sliced onions in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove their pungent bite, making them more pleasant to eat.
Step 2
Drain the onions thoroughly after soaking them in cold water. It’s important to remove as much moisture as possible; otherwise, the pickled onion flavor might become diluted. Ensure they are well-drained using a colander.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the delicious pickled onions. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved to create the dressing.
Step 4
Pour the prepared dressing over the drained onions and gently toss them to coat. These pickled onions are a fantastic accompaniment to your pho, adding a delightful crunch and a sweet and tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the noodle soup.
Step 5
Next, we’ll cook the rice noodles. Bring a generous pot of water to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy! Immediately rinse the cooked noodles under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain them thoroughly in a colander. This step is key to achieving perfectly chewy noodles.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the star of our pho: the broth. In a pot, add the shabu-shabu beef and cook just until the exterior is lightly seared. Then, pour in 500ml of water and bring it to a boil. Using a generous amount of beef will result in a much richer and deeper broth, elevating your pho experience. Get ready for a wonderfully flavorful broth!
Step 7
Once the broth starts boiling, stir in 10 tablespoons of your chosen store-bought pho sauce. Keep in mind that saltiness can vary between brands, so it’s a good idea to taste and adjust the amount as needed. Add the thinly sliced onion, diagonally cut Korean green chilies, and the chopped green onion to the broth and let it simmer together. You’ll start smelling the wonderful aroma of pho already!
Step 8
After the flavors have melded in the broth, add the rinsed bean sprouts and the pre-cooked rice noodles. Let them cook briefly, just until the noodles are heated through and the bean sprouts are slightly wilted. Then, turn off the heat immediately. Overcooking can lead to soggy noodles and mushy bean sprouts.
Step 9
And there you have it – a hearty and delicious bowl of homemade pho! Enjoy the warm broth, chewy noodles, and tender beef. This recipe makes it easy to enjoy a restaurant-quality pho experience right in your own kitchen. Don’t forget to add a generous portion of the pickled onions on the side. Enjoy your meal!

