You may have seen Vietnamese restaurants popping up with the word “Pho” in their name. What is this Pho any way? You don't need to be part of the exclusive Vietnamese Club to enjoy the ultimate beef noodle soup. Pho Queen is here to share the secret pho recipe with the world. After reading this article you too will be able to easily prepare yourself the best noodle soup you have ever tried.

Pho bo is the most popular Vietnamese dish. It is one of my family's favorite noodle soups. Knowing our weakness, my parents bribed all the children including myself with an unlimited amount of pho once we arrive in America if we promise to behave and cooperate. It worked.

Most Vietnamese eat pho for breakfast, however it is also good for lunch, dinner, or midnight snack. Pho is composed of rice noodles and thinly sliced beef soaked in beef broth. It is served with mint leaves, bean sprouts, Hoisen sauce, lemon, and hot chili peppers. Make sure to read this pho recipe at least once before you start.

3 pounds ox tail, chopped into 1 to 2 inch long pieces
1 inch ginger root
1 medium regular onion
4 cubes pho beef flavor bouillon -- VV Foods Cot Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Flavored Soup Base), 11-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)
1 bag Gia Vi Nau Pho( pho flavor spice) -- VV Foods Vietnamese Beef "Pho" Noodle Soup Spice, 2-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 (16-ounce) package, bánh pho, oriental style noodles, cooked -- Royal Blossom - Chantaboon Pho Rice Stick (3MM) 16 Oz.
1 pound beef sirloin, thin slices
1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges
1 cup finely chopped green onion
1 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 pound bean sprouts
1 bunch basil mint leaves -- Fresh Mint Leaves - Ships out on Tuesdays
red pepper, chili or pepper sauce (optional) -- Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Huy Fong 17 Oz.
Hoisen sauce (optional) -- Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce - 20 oz.

Clean and drain meats and vegetables. Place the ox tail in a gallon-sized saucepan. Fill the saucepan with enough water to blanket the ox tail. Bring to a boil at high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Drain. Boiling the ox tail helps clean the meat thoroughly and reduces excess fat.

In the same saucepan, add 16 cups of water to the ox tail. Bring to a boil at high heat. While waiting for the water to boil, cut the ginger and onion into halves. Place the ginger and onion on a stove range. Roast to a crisp on the open flame or burner. Wash and drain the ginger and onion halves. Slice the ginger into thin slices. Leave the onion in two halves. Drop the onion and ginger slices into the broth. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 60 minutes.

Add the pho cubes, 1 bag Gia Vi Nau Pho, sugar, and salt to the broth. Cook for 40 minutes. Taste the broth and adjust with additional salt if necessary. Remove the ox tail pieces, ginger, Gia Vi Nau Pho and onion. Keep only the broth. Reduce the heat to low. Skim any fat layer on top of the broth.

Separate desired amounts of cooked pho noodles into four medium to large bowls. Spread 10 to 12 pieces of thinly sliced raw beef on top of the noodles in each bowl. Pour the hot broth on top of the noodles and beef. Fill to rim. The broth's heat cooks the beef to medium rare. If one prefers his/her beef to be well done, place the beef in a soup ladle and dip the ladle into the simmering broth. Cook the beef to the desired texture.

Add a few squirts from a lemon wedge to each bowl. Mix in the desired amount of the green onions, cilantro, bean sprouts, and basil leaves. Add the optional condiments such as the red peppers, chili or pepper sauce and Hoisen sauce to each person's preference.

As you can read, pho is easy to create using Pho Queen's secret pho recipe. You may have trouble finding such ingredients as pho cubes, Gia Vi Nau Pho, or pho noodles. Have no fear, Pho Queen is here with these and other exotic ingredients available online.

If you want to see pictures of the glorious secret pho recipe and the making process as well as possible substitutes for exotic ingredients, you may want to check out Ha Roda's, cookbook “A Vietnamese Kitchen: Family Treasured Recipes.” Your taste buds and family will not regret it.