How to Make Delicious and Simple Lang Son Sour Pho at Home

How to prepare Sour Pho from Lang Son

• 1

  Prepare ingredients

  Wash the meat with diluted salt water to reduce the bad smell, then rinse with clean water, cut it in half, and marinate with 1 tablespoon of salt, mixing well.

  Boil the meat in boiling water with a little salt added to enhance the flavor for about 7 – 10 minutes. Then remove and place it on a separate plate.

  Peel the sweet potatoes, wash them clean. Shred them into thin strands.

  Wash the onions, garlic, and chili, then chop them finely.

  Note:

  • Depending on the size of the meat pieces, you may need to boil them quickly or longer.
  • You should not cut the meat too small, as this can make it dry and tough, losing its tenderness when boiled.
  • After peeling the sweet potatoes, put them in a bowl of water mixed with a little salt to soak, which helps prevent them from turning dark and retains their beautiful yellow color.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  Make char siu pork

  Add 1 teaspoon of char siu powder, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce to the meat, mix well, and marinate the meat for about 20 – 30 minutes.

  Then, put the meat in a skillet to sear it evenly with medium heat, until the meat is fragrant and slightly charred on the outside.

  Tip: There are many ways to make char siu pork; you don’t need to boil the meat beforehand. After marinating, put the meat in the pan and stir it until it firms up. Add a little water, cover the lid, and wait until the sauce thickens and the meat is cooked.

  

  
• 3

  Blanching rice noodles

  Put the rice noodles into a pot of boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds, then remove. Rinse under cold running water to keep the noodles chewy and prevent them from becoming mushy.

  Tips for deliciously blanched rice noodles

  • If you buy dry noodles, soak them in clean water for about 60 minutes, or 30 minutes in warm water, until the noodles change from opaque white to translucent white.
  • Boil in a pot of boiling water for about 30 – 60 seconds, do not cover the pot. Rinse with cold water, remove and let drain to ensure the noodles remain chewy and not soggy.

  
• 4

  Making sour pho sauce

  Add 1 cup of water to the pan with 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water until smooth. Take out 3 tablespoons and add to the previous sauce pan.

  Add 1/2 tablespoon of five-spice powder and 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce. Transfer to a bowl, just add a little chili and minced garlic to finish.

  Tip: You can choose to add or not add the cornstarch mixed with water according to your preference; cornstarch helps make the sauce thicker!

  

  
• 5

  Fried Sweet Potatoes

  Grate the sweet potatoes and gradually add them to a pan of oil, frying over low heat until the sweet potatoes are golden evenly.

  Tip:

  • At first, spread the sweet potatoes evenly when adding them; wait until they are slightly golden and shaped before using chopsticks to stir gently to avoid breaking them.
  • Only add the sweet potatoes when the oil is truly hot; otherwise, they will not be crispy and will become mushy.

  
• 6

  Completion

  Slice the char siu into pieces about 1 – 2cm thick.

  Put the rice noodles in a bowl, sprinkle with some fried shallots, add the fried sweet potatoes, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, and the sliced meat on top, then pour the sauce evenly over it to serve.

  Tip: You should cut the meat along the grain; this way, it will feel tender and not dry when eating.

  

  

  
• 7

  Final Product

  The unique sour pho dish with the rich flavor of the sauce combined with each fragrant, tender grilled meat slice, the crunchy taste of fried sweet potatoes, and the nutty flavor of roasted peanuts will make you eat it endlessly without getting bored!