Prawn pho

Tips: Learn how to perfect your prawn pho

Find out how to make a tasty prawn pho with these simple yet effective tips. Each tip will help you elevate your pho-making skills and impress everyone at the table.

Preventing noodles from sticking

To prevent rice noodles from sticking together and maintain their smooth texture, rinse them under cold water immediately after boiling. This helps stop the cooking process and separates the noodles, making them less likely to clump. Drain the noodles in a colander and cool them under the tap to ensure they remain smooth.

Strain the broth for a clear finish

To make a completely clear broth, strain it before serving. Using a sieve will remove any unwanted solids or small bits of spices, leaving you with a clean and smooth soup. Not only does this improve the presentation, but it also allows the delicate flavours of the broth to shine through. You can also use light soy sauce instead of dark, which will also help keep the clear look although it might give the broth a sharper, saltier taste.

Choose top-quality king prawns

For an exceptional prawn pho, selecting high-quality king prawns is crucial. Look for prawns that are firm, translucent, and have a fresh, sea-like aroma. These are a sign of freshness and ensure the best possible taste. If fresh prawns are unavailable, frozen ones will work, too, if they are fully thawed and of good quality.

Preparing the king prawns

To get the most flavour from your prawns and the best tender texture, make sure they are fresh or thoroughly thawed and ready for cooking. If your prawns have shells, remove them while leaving the tails on for a decorative touch. Gently devein the prawns by making a shallow cut along the back and rinsing them under cold water. Dry the prawns with a towel before adding them to the simmering pho broth. Once added, cook them for just 2–3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.

Discover the heart of Vietnam with our prawn pho recipe

Our prawn pho recipe captures the essence of Vietnam’s culinary traditions, offering a tasty blend of delicate prawns, fragrant herbs, and rich, spiced broth. The combination of ginger, garlic, and chilli adds warmth, while fresh lime juice and vibrant herbs brighten each bite. Every spoonful takes you on a journey through Southeast Asia, with its balance of textures and flavours, creating a meal that is both comforting and revitalising. Perfect for any occasion, this pho recipe allows you to bring the flavours of Vietnam into your home.

Vietnamese noodle soup with succulent king prawns

Prawn pho, a cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine, delivers a rich combination of flavours. At the heart of it are succulent king prawns that add a delicate seafood sweetness. This serves as a nice contrast to the smooth rice noodles, creating a satisfying balance of lightness and richness in every bite. As the prawns gently warm in the broth, they absorb the savoury aromas while maintaining their fresh, sweet profile.

The authentic noodle choice for pho is bánh phở, flat rice noodles with a slightly chewy texture that holds up well in the hot broth. These noodles soak up the broth’s aromatic essence most deliciously. Together, the noodles and prawns offer a harmonious texture and flavour combination, making this pho a truly authentic experience.

Spiced broth with mushrooms, crisp vegetables, and authentic flavours

Our recipe features a delicate yet flavourful broth infused with cloves, ginger, garlic, and a bit of chilli for gentle heat. The broth brings all the ingredients together with its depth and complexity. The combination of fish sauce and soy sauce adds a rich umami layer, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the prawns and the freshness of the vegetables. Earthy mushrooms and crisp carrots provide texture, while the spinach leaves melt into the broth, enhancing both taste and appearance. A final squeeze of lime juice cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing, zesty touch that ties all the flavours together.

Topped with fresh herbs, white cheese, and spring onions

Each bowl is finished with a generous scattering of fresh herbs, adding layers of flavour and vibrancy. Coriander, parsley, and mint provide a refreshing contrast to the rich broth and sweet prawns, while white cheese cubes add a creamy, tangy element that complements the dish’s overall balance. White cheese is not a traditional part of Vietnamese pho, but it is a delicious addition that gives you an irresistible texture to go with the crisp ingredients and other fresh toppings. Spring onions offer a delicate crunch and a tasty sharpness, while lime wedges and extra chilli slices give a final, satisfying burst of flavour.

The perfect choice for a warm and refreshing lunch or dinner

Prawn pho is an ideal dish for both lunch and dinner, offering warmth and comfort with each spoonful. Eat it freshly made, serving it steaming from bowls at the dinner table or pack it for lunch for a warm, indulgent midday meal. Pack all ingredients separately and simply reheat the broth before adding the toppings.

Make it an interactive eating experience for everyone to engage with the food and enjoy a truly satisfying social meal. Serve it in deep bowls, allowing the noodles and prawns to be fully submerged in the aromatic broth. Serve extra herbs, lime wedges, and sliced chilli on the side so everyone can personalise their bowls. For a traditional experience, use chopsticks to pick up the noodles and prawns while sipping the fragrant broth with a spoon.

Our collection of soup recipes has plenty to offer. Try our fabulous beetroot with a creamy finish or an easy chilled pea soup with asparagus and cucumber.

Ideas for varying the recipe

There are many exciting ways to personalise your prawn pho while staying true to the heart of the dish. While rice noodles are the traditional choice, you can experiment with udon for a thicker, more substantial bite or soba noodles for a subtle, nutty flavour.

The broth is also a great area to customise; try using seafood or vegetable broth for a lighter or more intense base, depending on your preference. Consider mixing in additional soft-boiled eggs, poached eggs, or thinly sliced beef or chicken for a surf-and-turf-style pho.

For the toppings, try adding vegetables such as bok choy, baby corn, or sugar snap peas to bring a fresh crunch. You can also top it off with roasted peanuts or cashews for a bit of crunch or drizzle in some chilli oil or hoisin sauce to enhance the richness of the broth.