Pho ga
Chicken noodle soup
Phở gà: Hanoi chicken pho, lighter and brighter with shredded lime leaf
In Hanoi some shops sell nothing but chicken pho, and locals often choose it over beef for a gentler breakfast or a late bowl after an evening out. The broth is lighter than the beef version, made in about an hour from a whole bird with a few charred aromatics and only a hint of spice. The northern signature is a tangle of makrut lime leaf, cut as fine as thread, scattered over the hot chicken just before serving. It's a good first pho to make at home, since the timing is forgiving and the chicken poaches in the same pot. Chef's tip: plunge the cooked chicken into iced water for 5 minutes; the skin turns firm and slightly springy, the way Hanoi cooks like it.
- Total time
- 90 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the broth
- 3 ⅛ lb whole chicken
- 1 ⅛ lb chicken wings or backsfor extra body
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 onionhalved, skin on
- 1 ¾ oz fresh gingerhalved lengthways
- 10 ½ cups water
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 cinnamon sticka small 4 cm piece
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp caster sugar
For the bowls
- 4 makrut lime leavesfresh or frozen
- 3 spring onionsfinely sliced
- ½ oz fresh corianderchopped
- 2 limescut into wedges
- 2 red chilliessliced
- 5 ½ oz bean sprouts (optional)
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What you'll need
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Method
0/10 doneStep 1: Rub the 3 ⅛ lb whole chicken and 1 ⅛ lb chicken wings or backs all over with the 2 tsp salt, rinse well under cold water and pat dry. This old Hanoi trick removes any stale smell and keeps the broth clean-tasting.
5 minStep 2: Char the 1 onion and 1 ¾ oz fresh ginger over a gas flame or under a hot grill, turning, until blackened in patches. Rub off any loose burnt skin.
8 minStep 3: Put the chicken (breast side down), wings, charred onion and ginger in a large pot with the cold 10 ½ cups water. Bring slowly to the boil over a medium-high heat, skimming off the foam as it rises.
15 minStep 4: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and poach the chicken, uncovered, until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F/165 °F and the juices run clear when pierced. Common mistake: boiling hard. The breast turns stringy and the broth goes cloudy; keep just a few bubbles breaking the surface.
35 minStep 5: Lift the chicken into a large bowl of iced water and leave for 5 minutes, then drain. Pull the meat off in large pieces, keeping the skin on if you like it, and set aside covered.
5 minStep 6: Meanwhile toast the 2 star anise, 1 tsp coriander seeds and 1 cinnamon stick in a dry pan over a medium heat until fragrant. Add them to the pot along with the chicken carcass and simmer for 20 minutes more.
20 minStep 7: Strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean pan. Season with the 3 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tsp caster sugar and taste; add a pinch more salt if needed. If making ahead, cool quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours; it keeps for 3 days.
Step 8: Soak the 14 oz dried flat rice noodles (bánh phở) in warm water for 20 minutes, then cook in boiling water for 30–60 seconds until soft but springy. Drain and divide among four warmed bowls.
20 minStep 9: Roll the 4 makrut lime leaves up tightly, cut out the tough central rib and slice as thinly as you can, like threads. Thick pieces are leathery and unpleasant to chew.
Step 10: Slice or tear the chicken and arrange it over the noodles with the 3 spring onions, ½ oz fresh coriander and lime leaf. Bring the broth back to a rolling boil and ladle it over. Serve with 2 limes, 2 red chillies and 5 ½ oz bean sprouts on the side.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 560 kcal
- Protein
- 40 g
- Carbs
- 76 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pho ga take?
- About 90 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 70 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
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