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Beef Pho (Traditional — Naturally Gluten-Free with Tamari)
Vietnamese · Hanoi, Vietnam

Beef Pho (Traditional — Naturally Gluten-Free with Tamari)

Beef pho — the great Vietnamese noodle soup — is naturally gluten-free in its traditional form: rice noodles, a bone and charred-aromatics broth seasoned with fish sauce, and protein. The single gluten concern is the hoisin and sriracha typically served on the side, which contain wheat in standard formulations — selecting GF versions of these condiments, or omitting them and providing lime, chilli, and fresh herbs instead, makes pho a completely GF meal. The broth is the preparation's entire investment: beef bones (ideally a combination of marrow bones and knuckles), charred onion and ginger, and the canonical spice blend (star anise, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel) simmered for minimum 8 hours, skimmed frequently, and strained through a fine mesh. The result — a clear, deeply flavoured, lightly sweet broth with the distinctive fragrance of star anise and charred aromatics — is one of the world's great preparations.

‹Swipe for the next dish›
Serves4
Total150 min
Sourced3of 19 in BC
Cook
I

The Market List

The benchmark for each ingredient, and who stocks it near you. Tap a stockist to go straight to the product.

800 g
beef knuckle or shank
in one piece
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
2 litres
water
Your own market
8cm
piece fresh ginger
halved lengthwise
4
star anise pods
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
2
cinnamon sticks
3-inch pieces
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
4
cloves
Your own market
2
onions
halved
Your own market
3
garlic cloves
crushed
Your own market
10 g
coriander seeds
toasted
Your own market
10 g
sea salt
Your own market
30 ml
tamari (wheat-free soy sauce)
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
15 ml
fish sauce
Your own market
10 g
Tellicherry black pepper
Your own market
for service
200 g
fresh rice noodles
Origin · ThailandWismettac · Vancouver →
100 g
beef tendon
thinly sliced
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
50 g
fresh mint leaves
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
50 g
fresh Thai basil
50 g
fresh cilantro
Your own market
2
lime wedges per serving
Not yet stocked in British Columbia

Each tap is counted, so the stockist sees the demand Provenance sends them.

II

The Method

1
Bring water to rolling boil in large stockpot; blanch beef knuckle for 2 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water; scrub pot clean.
2
Return beef to clean pot with fresh water; add ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, onions, garlic, and coriander seeds; bring to boil, then reduce to low simmer.
3
Skim impurities for 5 minutes, then add sea salt; maintain gentle simmer for 90 minutes until beef is tender.
4
Strain broth through fine cheesecloth; discard solids, return broth to pot, and season with tamari, fish sauce, and Tellicherry pepper.
5
Bring broth to gentle simmer; slice cooked beef thinly against the grain.
6
Place rice noodles in individual bowls, top with sliced beef and tendon, ladle hot broth over, and garnish with fresh mint, Thai basil, cilantro, and lime wedge.
IV

Sensory Tests

◇Sight. Clear, deeply flavoured broth — the result of frequent skimming every 30 minutes in the first 2 hours and straining through fine mesh before seasoning.
◇Where it lives or dies. Clear, deeply flavoured broth — the result of frequent skimming every 30 minutes in the first 2 hours and straining through fine mesh before seasoning.
VI

What to Pour

The pairing
Bushmills Malt 10 Year Old
Old Bushmills Distillery · County Antrim — Bushmills Distillery
Bridge — the dish's smoke meets a smoky register in the pour; smoke speaking to smoke.
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
Whisky
From British Columbia
Fort Berens Riesling
Fort Berens Estate Winery · Lillooet
Cut — the acidity ('lime zest') scrubs the salt and savour between bites; the palate arrives clean at every pass.
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
Wine
Without alcohol
GT's Synergy Organic Kombucha — Gingerade
Cut — the bead ('effervescent') scrubs the salt and savour between bites; the palate arrives clean at every pass.
Not yet stocked in British Columbia
Non-alcoholic
The whole pairing
VII

Origin & Lineage

Vietnam (Hanoi); pho documented c. early 20th century; likely influenced by both Chinese noodle soup traditions and French pot-au-feu; pho became a national dish through the 20th century.