Vegetarian Pho with Mushroom Broth and Rice Noodles

A flavorful and comforting vegetarian pho featuring a rich mushroom broth, delicate rice noodles, and a vibrant assortment of fresh vegetables.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

65 minutes

Calories

385 kcal

Difficulty

Medium

Equipment

2 items

Cost

£4.38/serving

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1ounceDried Shiitake Mushrooms(For rich umami flavor)

£3.50

1poundFresh Cremini Mushrooms(Sliced)

£2.00

1largeYellow Onion(Quartered)

£0.60

3inchGinger(Peeled and sliced)

£0.75

4clovesGarlic(Crushed)

£0.20

3piecesStar Anise

£0.40

1pieceCinnamon Stick

£0.25

1teaspoonFennel Seeds(Optional, for extra aroma)

£0.15

8cupsVegetable Broth(Low sodium preferred)

£1.50

2tablespoonsSoy Sauce(Or tamari for gluten-free)

£0.10

1tablespoonRice Vinegar

£0.10

1teaspoonBrown Sugar(Or maple syrup)

£0.05

to tasteSalt

to tasteBlack Pepper

8ouncesRice Noodles(Flat rice noodles recommended)

£1.20

2cupsBean Sprouts

£0.75

0.5cupThai Basil(Fresh leaves)

£1.50

0.5cupCilantro(Fresh leaves)

£0.75

3stalksGreen Onions(Sliced thinly)

£0.50

1smallJalapeño(Sliced thinly (optional))

£0.30

2piecesLime(Cut into wedges)

£0.60

1mediumCarrot(Julienned or thinly sliced)

£0.30

1blockTofu (Optional)(Firm or extra-firm, cubed)

£2.00

Total Cost

£17.50

£4.38 per serving

Instructions

1.
Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in 4 cups of hot water for at least 30 minutes, or until softened. Reserve the soaking liquid, strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any grit.
2.
If desired, roast the onion, ginger, and garlic: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the quartered onion, sliced ginger, and crushed garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until slightly charred. This step intensifies their flavor (Optional).
3.
In a large stockpot, combine the reserved shiitake mushroom soaking liquid, vegetable broth, sliced cremini mushrooms, rehydrated shiitake mushrooms (sliced), roasted onion, ginger, and garlic (if roasted; otherwise, add raw), star anise, cinnamon stick, and fennel seeds (if using).
4.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the richer the broth will be.
5.
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Return the broth to the pot.
6.
Season the broth with soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper to taste.
7.
While the broth is simmering, prepare the rice noodles according to package directions. Usually this involves soaking them in hot water until softened, or briefly cooking them in boiling water.
8.
If using tofu, pan-fry or bake the tofu cubes until golden brown and crispy. (Optional)
9.
To assemble the pho, divide the cooked rice noodles among bowls. Top with bean sprouts, julienned carrots, and cooked tofu (if using).
10.
Ladle the hot mushroom broth over the noodles and vegetables.
11.
Garnish with fresh Thai basil, cilantro, green onions, and sliced jalapeño (if using). Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (500g)

385 kcal / 1611 kJ

Carbs

68g

26% of RDA

Fat

9% of RDA

Protein

14g

28% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

7 g

23% of RDA

Sugar

11 g

12% of RDA

Sodium

1050 mg

46% of RDA

Saturated Fat

1 g

5% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a richer broth, use a variety of mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, or enoki mushrooms.

Adjust the amount of soy sauce and rice vinegar to your liking. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

For a spicier pho, add a few drops of sriracha or chili oil to each bowl.

Don't skip straining the broth – this is essential for a clear and flavorful pho.

Prepare your toppings while the broth is simmering to save time.

Cooking Equipment

Large Stockpot

Oven (Optional)

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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Chef's Tips

For a richer broth, use a variety of mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, or enoki mushrooms.

Adjust the amount of soy sauce and rice vinegar to your liking. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

For a spicier pho, add a few drops of sriracha or chili oil to each bowl.

Don't skip straining the broth – this is essential for a clear and flavorful pho.

Prepare your toppings while the broth is simmering to save time.

Vegetarian Pho with Mushroom Broth and Rice Noodles

Ingredients

Instructions