Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise Broth

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A fragrant and comforting Vietnamese noodle soup featuring tender beef slices in a clear, star anise-spiced broth served with fresh herbs and lime. This Vietnamese recipe, ready in about 290 minutes, pairs beef bones, onion, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef bones
• 1 large, halved and charred onion
• 3-inch piece, sliced and charred ginger
• 4 star anise pods
• 1, 3-inch cinnamon stick
• 5 whole cloves
• 3 whole cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1 tbsp rock sugar
• 12 oz, flat rice noodles
• 8 oz, thinly sliced beef sirloin
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup cilantro sprigs
• 4 lime wedges
• 3, sliced scallions
• 1, thinly sliced (optional) jalapeño

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large stockpot, add 2 lbs beef bones and cover with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
2. Step 2: Return cleaned bones to the pot with 12 cups fresh water, add 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger both charred, 4 star anise pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer gently for 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
3. Step 3: After 4 hours, strain broth through a fine sieve, discard solids, and return broth to pot. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Keep broth hot.
4. Step 4: Cook 12 oz flat rice noodles in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until tender but firm, then drain.
5. Step 5: Divide noodles into 4 bowls. Top each with 2 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin.
6. Step 6: Pour hot broth over beef and noodles to gently cook the beef. Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup cilantro, 3 sliced scallions, and jalapeño slices if using.
7. Step 7: Serve each bowl with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the soup to brighten flavors.