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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, most commonly beef or chicken.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat. It emerged in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century and is now popular worldwide, including in Canada.

What it is

Pho is built around a clear, long-simmered broth, flat rice noodles, and meat—most commonly beef or chicken. Fresh herbs like Thai basil and bean sprouts are typical garnishes. It is widely regarded as Vietnam's national dish, though not an official title.

Origins and debate

The dish traces to northern Vietnam in the late 19th or early 20th century, but its exact origins are disputed. Proposed influences include French and Chinese culinary traditions, and limited early records leave room for debate among historians.

Regional styles and global spread

Northern-style pho tends to have a clearer, less sweet broth and narrower noodles, while southern-style pho is sweeter, uses wider noodles, and offers more herbs and condiments. After the Vietnam War, Vietnamese refugees helped introduce pho internationally, making it a staple in diaspora communities and beyond.

In short

  • Pho is a Vietnamese soup with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat.
  • Beef pho is the best-known version.
  • Northern and southern styles differ in broth, noodles, and garnishes.
  • Global popularity grew after the Vietnam War through Vietnamese diaspora.
Canadian angle

Pho is a common Vietnamese dish in Canada, especially in cities with large Vietnamese communities, and it is widely available in Canadian restaurants and food courts.

Quick questions

What is pho?
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually beef or chicken.
Where did pho come from?
Pho is generally believed to have originated in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century.
How did pho become popular outside Vietnam?
Its global spread accelerated after the Vietnam War, when Vietnamese refugees and migrants introduced it to new countries.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho
    Supports: Early-20th-century northern Vietnamese origin; regional styles; post-war global spread; historical uncertainty
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/pho
    Supports: Definition, ingredients, common proteins, spices, and status as a national dish
  3. BBC Travel — https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210421-pho-the-humble-soup-that-caused-an-outrage
    Supports: Origins debated; northern Vietnam; possible French and Chinese influences; global popularity
  4. Vietnam Tourism — https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/history-pho
    Supports: Pho as a major Vietnamese dish and culinary export
  5. National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/pho-soup-history-vietnam
    Supports: Pho as a relatively recent dish that spread widely beyond Vietnam