Ingredients for Delicious Beef Noodle Soup
Beef bones: 1.5 kg
Beef: 300 g
Beef shank: 200 g
Ginger: 1 knob (approx. 50 g)
Onion: 1 large
Pho spices:
1 packet of pho spices: 2 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 cardamom pods, 5 cloves, 1 tsp fennel seeds
Seasonings: Salt, rock sugar, fish sauce
Rice noodles: 1 kg
Scallions, coriander: 100 g each
Bean sprouts: 200 g
Fried dough sticks: 200 g
Chili sauce, black soy sauce
Lime, fresh chili: 1-2 each

How to Make Delicious Beef Noodle Soup at Home
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Beef bones: Rinse the bones and blanch them in boiling water for 3-5 minutes to remove any impurities. Rinse again with cold water.
Beef: Partially freeze the beef by placing it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This will make it easier to slice thinly. Rinse the beef shank and set aside to dry.
Ginger and onion: Lightly char the ginger and onion on a stove burner for about 3-4 minutes to enhance their flavor. Peel the ginger, and cut the onion in half.
Pho spices: Toast the star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and fennel seeds in a pan until fragrant. Place them in a spice bag and tie it securely.
Herbs and vegetables: Rinse the scallions, coriander, and bean sprouts. Chop the scallions, and leave the coriander whole or chop it, depending on your preference.
Step 2: Cook the Broth
Place the beef bones in a large pot and add about 5 liters of water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface regularly to ensure a clear broth.
Add the charred ginger and onion, along with the spice bag, to the pot. Season with salt, rock sugar, and fish sauce. Simmer the broth for 6-8 hours on low heat (or use a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time to 2-3 hours).
During the cooking process, add the beef shank and cook it for about 1-2 hours until tender. Remove the shank and set it aside to cool, then slice it thinly.
Once the broth is cooked, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any impurities. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Step 3: Prepare the Noodles and Beef
Rice noodles: If using dried rice noodles, boil them for 5-7 minutes and then rinse them with cold water to prevent sticking. If using fresh rice noodles, simply blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds.
Beef: Slice the partially frozen beef thinly and set it aside.
Step 4: Assembly and Serving
Place a portion of rice noodles in a bowl. Top with a few slices of beef shank and raw beef slices.
Pour the boiling hot broth into the bowl (the broth should be boiling hot to cook the raw beef to your desired doneness).
Garnish with scallions, coriander, and bean sprouts. Serve with fried dough sticks, lime, chili, chili sauce, and black soy sauce on the side.
Enjoy your delicious beef noodle soup while it’s hot!
Notes
- For a clear and flavorful broth, skim the foam regularly and cook the broth over low heat.
- If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning powder during the seasoning process.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the beef thinly, as this will make the meat look more appealing and easier to cook.
- Good luck, and enjoy your homemade beef noodle soup!