what is pho broth made of

Pho broth is a key component of the Vietnamese noodle soup known as pho. It is typically made from scratch with a homemade beef broth. The broth is made by boiling beef bones, such as beef knuckles or leg bones, for several hours with water, ginger, onions, and a variety of aromatic spices such as star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. The spices are toasted to bring out their flavor before adding them to the pot, and the ginger and onion are charred to add a subtle smoky flavor to the broth. Fish sauce and brown sugar are also added to the broth for additional flavor. The beef bones and meat are pre-boiled before adding them to the pot, and the broth is simmered for at least 30 minutes. The resulting broth is light yet full of flavor, deceptively beefy, savory, complex, and filled with beautiful spices like cinnamon. Rice noodles and thinly sliced raw beef are typically added to the broth when serving, along with a variety of toppings such as bean sprouts, basil, and chilies.