Easy and Authentic Vegetarian Pho Recipe

Vegetarian Pho, a warm and fragrant noodle soup, is a delightful culinary experience that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Vietnam. This dish is more than just a meal; it’s an embrace in a bowl. It celebrates flavors and aromas that come together to create a comforting, nourishing broth.

With its delicate rice noodles, vibrant herbs, and earthy spices, this easy and authentic vegetarian version captures the essence of traditional pho. It offers a plant-based twist that anyone can enjoy.

🃏 Tarot Insights

Card 1: The Temperance (Upright)
Theme: Balance, Harmony, Healing
Temperance reflects the blending of opposites—just as your pho combines fire-roasted aromatics, earthy spices, and water-based broth to achieve unity and depth. This card encourages mindful preparation, balancing strong and gentle flavors, and allowing all components to harmonize. The simmering process becomes an alchemical act.

Card 2: The Star (Upright)
Theme: Nourishment, Hope, Restoration
The Star is the healing light after a long journey. Your pho provides physical and energetic nourishment—warmth, hydration, and peace. It invites the eater to slow down and feel replenished. This card reminds you to infuse intention into the broth—it becomes an elixir of renewal.

Card 3: The Hierophant (Reversed)
Theme: Personal Tradition, Breaking Conventions
Pho is typically made with beef bones, but your vegetarian version honors tradition while rewriting the rules—much like the reversed Hierophant. This card speaks to culinary innovation grounded in spiritual values. You're passing on a new sacred recipe that aligns with compassion and wellness.

✨ Magickal Insights

Elemental Magick:
This pho embodies all four elements:
- Fire: Roasting ginger and onion—purifying and activating.
- Water: Broth base—emotional nourishment and flow.
- Air: Aromatic spices—cinnamon, star anise, and clove—invoking clarity and ancient memory.
- Earth: Herbs and vegetables—grounding and restoring the body.
Kitchen Spellwork:
Stir the broth clockwise while chanting a short haiku (or incantation) to imbue it with restorative energy: Steam of stars arise,
Roots and spice in sacred dance,
Body, soul, and breath.
Magical Intention:
Set your intention as you strain the broth—visualize it as a liquid crystal of healing energy. You can whisper your purpose: “I call in warmth, balance, and inner peace.”

🕉️ Chakra Insights

Root Chakra (Muladhara):
The warm, spiced broth grounds and comforts, helping to restore a sense of safety and stability. Earthy ingredients like roasted vegetables and star anise support this base energy center.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura):
The fragrant spices ignite this chakra, fueling confidence and digestive fire. Cooking and eating this pho mindfully helps rekindle your inner power and self-healing energy.
Heart Chakra (Anahata):
The love put into making broth from scratch activates compassion. Sharing a bowl of pho becomes a sacred act of heart-based connection and kindness, especially in its vegetarian form.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Rest Time 30 mins

Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Cooking Method: Broiling, Simmering

Cuisine: Asian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Courses: Dinner, Heart Chakra, Lunch, Root Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Estimated Cost: 10

Calories: 123 kcal

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

This vegetarian pho is a delightful blend of aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and rice noodles, creating a warm, nourishing dish that's both satisfying and healthy.

Ingredients

Vegetarian Pho Ingredients

8 cups vegetable broth (Use a high-quality broth for the best flavor.)
1 medium onion (Charred for extra depth of flavor.)
1 inch ginger root (Sliced and charred for a warming spice.)
3 sticks cinnamon (Use whole sticks for a fragrant infusion.)
3 whole star anise (Adds a sweet and licorice-like flavor.)
4 cloves cloves (Whole cloves provide warmth and aroma.)
2 tsp coriander seeds (Toasted for a nutty flavor.)
1 tsp black peppercorns (Toasted for enhanced spice.)
1 pkg rice noodles (Use flat rice noodles (bánh phở) for authenticity.)
1 cup bean sprouts (Fresh bean sprouts add crunch.)
1 bunch fresh basil (Thai basil gives a unique flavor.)
1 bunch cilantro (For garnish and added freshness.)
2 medium lime (Cut into wedges for serving.)
1 cup tofu (Firm tofu, cut into cubes and fried or grilled.)
1 medium jalapeño (Sliced for a spicy kick.)

Instructions

Preparing the Broth

1
Roasting the AromaticsPreheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the onion and ginger on a baking sheet and roast for about 20-25 minutes until they are caramelized and fragrant. This step builds a deep, rich flavor base for your broth.
Don’t skip roasting! It’s the secret to a flavorful broth.
2
Simmering the BrothIn a large pot, combine the roasted onion and ginger, vegetable stock, star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
If you want a stronger flavor, simmer for up to an hour. Just keep an eye on it!

Preparing the Noodles and Toppings

3
Cooking the Rice NoodlesWhile the broth simmers, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
Make sure not to overcook the noodles; they should be al dente.
4
Preparing Fresh ToppingsThinly slice the mushrooms, jalapeño, and green onions. Chop the cilantro and basil. Set all your fresh toppings aside so they’re ready to go when the broth is done.
Feel free to mix and match your favorite toppings for a personal touch!

Assembling the Pho

5
Straining the BrothOnce the broth has simmered to perfection, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot to remove the spices and solids. This will give you a smooth, clear broth.
Press down on the solids to extract every last drop of flavor!
6
Building Your BowlIn a serving bowl, place a generous portion of cooked rice noodles. Pour the hot broth over the noodles, then artfully arrange your fresh toppings on top. Add a squeeze of lime for brightness.
Don’t be shy with the toppings; they’re what make it fun and flavorful!

Enjoying Your Pho

7
Serving the PhoServe your vegetarian pho immediately, garnished with extra herbs and lime wedges on the side. Encourage everyone to customize their bowls with chili sauce or hoisin for added depth.
Pho is best enjoyed hot and fresh, so dig in right away!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 123.68kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3.29g6%
Saturated Fat 0.39g2%
Sodium 1889.07mg79%
Potassium 195.58mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 19.77g7%
Dietary Fiber 4.82g20%
Sugars 7.25g
Protein 7.5g15%

Vitamin A 1318.46 IU
Vitamin C 20.8 mg
Calcium 147.55 mg
Iron 2.13 mg
Vitamin E 0.39 mg
Vitamin K 26.94 mcg
Thiamin 0.06 mg
Riboflavin 0.06 mg
Niacin 0.49 mg
Vitamin B6 0.11 mg
Folate 27.98 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 0.27 mg
Phosphorus 42.62 mg
Magnesium 21.55 mg
Zinc 0.38 mg
Selenium 0.94 mcg
Copper 0.13 mg
Manganese 0.88 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Use a mix of fresh herbs like Thai basil, cilantro, and mint for a fragrant finish.
For a deeper flavor, toast the spices (star anise, cloves, cinnamon) in a dry pan before adding them to the broth.
Add a splash of soy sauce or tamari for an umami kick, especially if you're using vegetable broth.
If you want a bit of heat, consider adding sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of sriracha.
Rice noodles can be replaced with zucchini noodles or other gluten-free options for a lighter dish.
If you prefer a richer broth, simmer the vegetable stock longer and add dried mushrooms for an earthy depth.
Make sure to soak the rice noodles in warm water until just tender before adding them to the soup to avoid overcooking.
Leftover broth can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to three months; just reheat and add fresh ingredients when you're ready to enjoy it again.
Customize your bowl with extra toppings like bean sprouts, lime wedges, or hoisin sauce to enhance the flavor profile.
This dish is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it versatile for various dietary preferences.

Keywords: pho, vegetarian, soup, Vietnamese, noodles

Summing Up the Pho Experience

When you take your first sip of this Easy and Authentic Vegetarian Pho, you’re not just tasting a bowl of soup; you’re embracing a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. The fragrant broth, the delicate rice noodles, and the fresh herbs come together to create a comforting experience that warms the soul. It reminds me of rainy days spent curled up with a good book, the steam swirling around me, or bustling evenings with friends gathered around the table, each of us customizing our bowls to our heart's content.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

This dish is incredibly versatile; feel free to serve it with a platter of fresh herbs, lime wedges, and chili slices, letting everyone personalize their bowl for that extra zing. If you find yourself with leftovers, rejoice! This pho keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. Just store the broth separately from the noodles and toppings to maintain their texture. When reheating, a splash of water can revive the broth’s vibrancy.

Embrace Your Culinary Adventure

I encourage you to dive into this recipe and make it your own. Experiment with different vegetables or add your favorite proteins if you’re feeling adventurous. Each variation is a new journey! If you have questions or want to share your own twists, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. Cooking is a journey best shared, and your take on this vegetarian pho could inspire someone else in our vibrant cooking community. Enjoy every slurp!