What Is Pho?

What is pho?

Pho (pronounced "fuh") is Vietnam's national noodle soup: a clear, aromatic broth scented with star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, poured over flat rice noodles with beef or chicken and finished with fresh herbs. It is eaten at any hour of the day in Vietnam, most famously for breakfast.

A great pho broth takes hours in a traditional kitchen — the spices are toasted, the broth is skimmed until it runs clear, and the result is light in body but deep in flavor. The noodles are flat rice noodles, soft with a gentle bounce.

What is in pho broth?

Beef pho broth is built on beef bones and warm spices: star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and coriander seed, with onion and ginger charred for depth. Chicken pho uses the same spice family in a lighter, golden broth. Fish sauce and a touch of rock sugar balance the salt and sweetness.

Instant pho, made the PhoLicious way

PhoLicious was founded on a family recipe — the pho our co-founder's mother, Mamma Thu, cooked after the family came to the United States from Vietnam. Our instant pho keeps the real broth profile and real rice noodles, in a 3.5 oz bowl that is ready in minutes: just add hot water. No seasoning-packet shortcuts, no ramen-style wheat noodles.

Common questions

How do you pronounce pho? "Fuh" — it rhymes with "duh."

What is the difference between pho and ramen? Pho uses flat rice noodles in a clear, spice-scented broth. Ramen uses wheat noodles, usually in a richer, heavier broth. They come from different countries and taste nothing alike.

How long does instant pho take? PhoLicious bowls are ready in minutes — add hot water, wait, and stir.

Is pho spicy? Traditional pho is not spicy on its own. Heat is added at the table with fresh chilies or chili sauce, to taste.