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Pho Seasonings - Exploring the Aromas

Seasonings are crucial elements in creating the most flavorful and enticing bowls of Pho. Let's delve into the traditional and common seasonings used in Pho in detail through the following article!


1. Exploring Traditional Northern Pho Seasonings

Pho is considered a traditional dish of the Vietnamese people, with each region—North, Central, and South—having its own unique recipes and seasonings, tailored to regional factors, creating distinctiveness in every bowl of Pho.

The North is renowned for its traditional, richly flavored Pho dishes. Hence, the famous Pho from Hanoi and other northern regions are always a favorite among many. Let's explore the key seasonings used in traditional Northern Pho and their vital roles in creating the distinctive flavor of this delicious dish:

Star Anise: A herbal spice with a hexagonal shape, star anise brings a mild spiciness, rich aroma, and sweet taste reminiscent of licorice. Widely used in traditional medicine and cuisine, it enhances flavor and offers significant health benefits.

Cloves: Cloves play an important role in Northern Pho, providing a mild spiciness and a distinctive aroma, sweeter than star anise. This seasoning is used to eliminate odors and naturally enhance sweetness in the dish, contributing to its unique flavor.


Cinnamon: Cinnamon is used to create the distinctive aromatic base of Pho. Typically, Vietnamese Pho uses Vietnamese cassia cinnamon, known for its mild, tingling spiciness and deep aroma, enhancing the unique flavor of the broth.

Cardamom: This seasoning has a distinctive, intense aroma and is rich in health-benefiting vitamins. It adds a mild spiciness and aromatic flavor to Pho broth, enhancing its deliciousness and appeal.

Coriander Seeds: Dried coriander seeds from the cilantro plant offer a pleasant aroma and rich fat content. These seeds are commonly used in Pho preparation to effectively eliminate the smell of bones and meat while imparting a distinctive flavor to the broth.

2. Special Seasonings for Chicken Pho: What Are They and Why Are They Important?

Chicken Pho, unlike traditional beef Pho, does not require complex preparation. Let's explore the essential seasonings required to create the distinctive and delicious flavor of chicken Pho:

Shallots and Grilled Ginger: Shallots and grilled ginger play a crucial role in creating the distinctive flavor of chicken Pho broth. They impart a unique aroma and enhance the savory taste of the dish.

Onions: Onions help create a natural sweetness in chicken Pho broth.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon plays a vital role in creating the distinctive aroma and sweet, mild taste of chicken Pho broth. This seasoning contributes to highlighting and harmonizing the flavor of the broth.

Beef Fat: Beef fat provides a distinctive flavor and a bit of fat for chicken Pho broth, creating a layer of oil and clarity in the broth.

Scallions: Scallions add a fresh, aromatic flavor to chicken Pho. This seasoning is used to add fresh, beautiful flavors to the dish.


Fresh Herbs: Herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint help create a fresh, aromatic flavor for chicken Pho. They also add flavor and aroma to the dish.

Chicken Pho broth, clear and full of natural sweetness, combined with tender yet not overly chewy chicken, creates a delicate and refined Pho aroma. Combined with various fresh herbs and scallions, chicken Pho becomes both visually appealing and nutritious.

3. Details about Beef Pho Seasonings

Beef Pho is famous for its delicious aroma and rich, sweet-savory broth. The tender beef adds to its appeal. It is not only a traditional dish but also highly regarded by international food enthusiasts. Specifically, the common seasonings used in beef Pho include:

Cinnamon Bark: Creates a sweet, aromatic flavor and distinctive aroma for beef Pho broth.

Star Anise: Brings a distinctive flavor, balancing and deepening the taste of beef Pho broth.

Cloves and Cardamom: These seasonings contribute to a bitter, sweet, and natural sweetness, along with a distinctive aroma to the dish.

Coriander Seeds and Cassia: These play vital roles in creating the distinctive and delicate flavor of beef Pho broth.

Shallots, Grilled Ginger, and Peppercorns: These add unique aromas and flavors to beef Pho broth, enhancing its richness and depth.

Although there are similarities in seasoning beef Pho with traditional Pho, beef Pho still stands out and differs in terms of accompanying ingredients. This diversity and creativity in Vietnamese cuisine create unique and diverse flavors for diners.

4. Conclusion

Above are insights into the various seasonings used in Pho and what to know about the seasonings of popular Pho types today. It can be seen that each type of Pho has its own unique flavors.