Phở Gà (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup) 雞肉粉 (Phở Gà)

A fragrant and comforting Vietnamese chicken noodle soup, featuring a clear, aromatic broth, tender shredded chicken, and fresh herbs, served over soft rice noodles.

Nutrition (per serving)

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg whole chicken
• 4 litres water
• 1 large yellow onion (approx. 200g)
• 100g piece ginger
• 5 pods star anise
• 2 pieces cinnamon sticks (7cm each)
• 2 black cardamom pods
• 6 cloves
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 4 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp rock sugar
• 500g dried flat rice noodles (Bánh phở)
• 200g bean sprouts
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 small bunch Thai basil
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• 3 bird's eye chilies, sliced (optional)
• 2 stalks green onions/scallions, chopped

Steps

1. Roast the yellow onion and ginger. Char them over an open flame or under a broiler until slightly blackened and fragrant. For the chicken, clean it and blanch it in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove impurities, then rinse.
2. Toast star anise, cinnamon sticks, black cardamom, cloves, and coriander seeds in a dry pan until fragrant. Place them in a spice bag or cheesecloth.
3. In a large pot, add the blanched chicken, roasted onion and ginger, spice bag, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours.
4. Remove the chicken from the broth. Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken meat from the bones. Strain the broth, discarding the aromatics and spice bag. Season the clear broth with fish sauce, salt, and rock sugar to taste.
5. Cook the dried flat rice noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Arrange bean sprouts, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, Thai basil, lime wedges, and sliced chilies on a serving platter.
6. To serve, place a portion of cooked rice noodles in each bowl. Top with shredded chicken, a handful of bean sprouts, red onion, and chopped green onions. Ladle the hot broth over the ingredients. Garnish with fresh cilantro, Thai basil, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with extra chilies if desired.

Related recipes

More Vietnamese recipesChicken recipes

Typhoon Shelter Prawns Bánh Khọt Chè Thái (Vietnamese Fruit Cocktail Sweet Soup) Cà Phê Sữa Đá Bò Lúc Lắc (Shaking Beef) Bánh Mì