Pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup, has gained popularity worldwide for its flavorful broth, tender meat, and warming combination of herbs and spices. Making pho at home may seem challenging, but with the following 14 steps, you’ll be enjoying homemade pho in no time!

1. Gather your ingredients: To make pho, you’ll need rice noodles, beef or chicken (depending on the type of pho you’re making), a variety of fresh herbs (such as cilantro, mint, and basil), bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sliced chilies for garnishing.

2. Toast the spices: In a large pot or Dutch oven, toast cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, cloves, star anise, and cardamom over medium heat. This step enhances their flavors and helps infuse the broth.

3. Char the onions and ginger: Place peeled onions and ginger directly on the open flame of your stovetop or under a broiler until they’re charred. This adds depth to the broth’s flavor.

4. Combine ingredients for broth: Add charred onions and ginger to your pot of toasted spices. Then add beef or chicken bones (depending on the type of pho) to release their richness into the soup.

5. Add water and seasoning: Pour enough water into the pot to cover all ingredients. Season with fish sauce and a bit of sugar for added depth.

6. Bring to a boil: Bring the liquid mixture to a boil over high heat.

7. Skim off impurities: As the liquid boils, skim any impurities—a grayish foam—that rises to the surface. This helps maintain clarity in the finished broth.

8. Simmer: Lower the heat and let your broth simmer for at least 2 hours (for chicken pho) or up to 6 hours (for beef pho), to extract flavors and nutrients from the bones.

9. Prepare the rice noodles: While the broth simmers, prepare the rice noodles by soaking them in warm water until softened. Drain and set aside.

10. Slice the meat: Thinly slice your choice of beef or chicken for serving. If using raw beef, it will cook in the hot broth at the end.

11. Strain the broth: After simmering, strain your broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove spices, onions, ginger, and bones. Adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or sugar if necessary.

12. Assemble bowls: Divide cooked rice noodles among individual serving bowls. Top with sliced meats and pour hot broth over them to cook the meat (if using raw beef) and warm noodles.

13. Add garnishes: Serve pho with a platter of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and thinly sliced chilies. Allow each person to customize their bowl of pho as desired.

14. Enjoy!: Now you’re ready to enjoy your homemade pho! Savor its complex flavors while appreciating the soothing warmth it brings to your body.

With these simple steps, you’re well on your way to making delicious pho at home! Experiment with different additions and seasonings to create a unique flavor that caters to your taste buds.