Aromatic Vegetarian Pho Recipe

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its well balanced and tasty combination of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors. It showcases vibrant and locally sourced ingredients like fresh herbs, vegetables, and various greens that are components in many dishes, providing a burst of color and flavor. Rice and noodles play a key role in Vietnamese meals, and pho is one of the most iconic dishes from the country, consisting of a flavorful broth, rice noodles, and various toppings. It's enjoyed at all times of the day and is popular worldwide.

Wellness coach and recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for aromatic vegetarian pho and says, "Instead of using meat-based broths and toppings, it features a flavorful vegetable broth and a variety of plant-based ingredients. The key to a good pho is using toasted spices like anise, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves along with other ingredients to develop a strong aromatic broth."

To make this recipe, start in the produce aisle and pick up a white onion, ginger root, shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, shredded carrots, scallions, Thai basil, fresh mint, and lime. "If you have trouble finding shredded carrots, you can use whole carrots and cut them into thin matchsticks," Hahn shares.

Then grab some vegetable broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, thin rice noodles, and avocado oil. Check your spice cabinet for star anise, whole cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and salt.

Add star anise, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks to a large soup pot and toast over medium heat for 5 minutes or until fragrant.

Add broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, onion, and ginger. Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.

Add oil to a frying pan and place over medium-high heat.

Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside.

Cook noodles according to package instructions.

Using a slotted spoon, remove and discard the star anise, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, onion, and ginger from the soup pot. Keep the broth warm over medium heat.

Add the cooked mushrooms, carrots, and bok choy leaves to the broth to warm through.

Divide noodles among bowls and ladle in the broth and vegetables.

Garnish the soup with scallions, basil, mint, and lime before serving.

Customizing a vegetarian pho recipe is a great way to tailor it to your preferences and dietary restrictions. The broth is a major part of the pho, and you can feel free to change the spice profile by adding or omitting spices like star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom if you prefer. You can also add other vegetables to the mix like celery, garlic, or dried mushrooms. Or, try using mushroom or miso broth instead of vegetable broth for a deeper umami flavor.

To make the pho heartier, adding a vegetarian protein source would bulk up the meal. Crispy tofu is a natural choice, but shelled edamame is a delicious and easy add-in. "I always have frozen shelled edamame on hand to add to soups, stir-fries, and grain bowls," Hahn says. In this case, you can just add them to the hot broth when you add the mushrooms, carrots, and bok choy.

If you have other vegetables on hand, you can toss them in. Red peppers, broccoli, and bean sprouts are a nice complement. Pho typically uses a thin rice noodle, but any type of noodle will work here, such as a thicker rice noodle, soba, or udon.

Aromatic vegetarian pho is a delicious dish on its own, but you can enhance the meal by pairing it with various accompaniments and sides to create a well rounded, Vietnamese-inspired dining experience.

If you're looking for something hearty, a vegetarian banh mi sandwich filled with marinated tofu, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and jalapeños pairs well with pho. The combination of flavors and textures is delightful. You could also fresh vegetable spring rolls alongside your pho. Filled with a combination of fresh herbs, rice noodles, and tofu or other vegetables, they make a great appetizer or side dish when dipped in a tasty peanut or hoisin sauce.

Another option is to prepare a fresh and crunchy Vietnamese salad with ingredients like shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and bean sprouts. Toss it with a zesty dressing made from lime juice, garlic, and rice vinegar for a light and refreshing pairing with the rich pho broth. For dessert, serve Vietnamese coconut-based sweets like coconut ice cream or coconut rice pudding.