Broth

Nước lèo

Bone broth simmered with onions and aromatics (cinnamon, ginger, anise, cardamom) for 10 hours before serving. This has existed since long before bone broth became “trendy” in the States.

Noodles

Bánh phở

The quintessential thin rice noodles that make a pho dish pho.

Brisket

Thịt chín nạm

Roast beef, cooked in the bone broth during the broth-making process. Pro tip: You can request lean or fatty (gầu) cuts of brisket at most restaurants.

Steak

Thịt tái

Rare cut of beef that’s placed in the pho bowl just before serving. More tender than eye of round steak, which is a popular ingredient at other restaurants.

Tripe

Sách

Adds a rubbery, chewy texture.

Meatballs

Bò viên

Made from a mixture of ground beef and tendon. More chewy than Italian meatballs.

Tendon

Gân

Adds flavor and a gelatinous texture to the dish, similar to that of tapioca balls.

Chicken

Gà

Boiled strips of chicken breast. Other restaurants may have shredded chicken meat.

Prawns

Tôm

For those who prefer seafood to beef. Veggie broth may be available upon request (at Pho Bac’s Denny Triangle location, for example).

Veggies

Chay

For the plant-inclined. Veggie broth may be available upon request (at Pho Bac’s Denny Triangle location, for example).

Thai basil

Rau quế

Tear off the leaves and add them to the dish, to your taste. This typically comes on the side with the pho dish.

Bean sprouts

Giá

Adds more texture than flavor, and the earlier/longer you leave them in your pho broth, the softer they’ll get. These typically come on the side with the pho dish.

Lime wedges

Chanh

Squeeze some lime juice into your broth to add tartness. These typically come on the side with the pho dish.

Jalapeño peppers

Ớt xanh

A substitute for the Thai chili peppers traditionally used in pho, which weren’t available at the time Pho Bac opened.

Fried shallots

Hành phi

Crispy and flavorful. Can be used to garnish the pho. Available upon request.

Sliced onions

Hành giấm

In vinegar-sugar mixture. Add for a sweet-tart taste. Available upon request.

Cilantro

Hành ngò

With onions and green onions. Add to your taste. Available upon request.

Fatty broth

Nước béo hành trận

Gloriously flavorful dish of broth fat with green onions. The onions are often put in the pho dish, while hoisin and sriracha can be added to the fatty broth for a meat dip. Available upon request.

Chinese donut

Bánh dầu cháo quẩy

Offered at Pho Bac as an optional go-along with your pho. Eat it separately, or dip in the broth. Another popular pho restaurant offering is the cream puff, or banh su, a Vietnamese dessert with French origins.

Shark Brand sriracha

A milder, sweet, vinegar-based hot sauce.

“Rooster sauce” sriracha

A spicier, more common hot sauce.

Sambal

Another (slightly less spicy) hot sauce, made from chili peppers.

Hoisin sauce

A sweet-salty sauce that’s sometimes used on the side for dipping meat.