How to Prepare House Special Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Đặc Biệt)

Phở Đặc Biệt, also known as House Special Beef Noodle Soup, is one of the most iconic dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. Loved for its rich, aromatic broth and tender slices of beef, this noodle soup offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors. While many variations of phở exist, Phở Đặc Biệt takes it up a notch by featuring an assortment of beef cuts and ingredients that elevate the experience.

In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to prepare an authentic bowl of Phở Đặc Biệt at home. From crafting the flavorful broth to assembling the soup, we’ll cover every step in plain, easy-to-follow language, with plenty of tips to ensure success.

What is Phở Đặc Biệt?

Phở Đặc Biệt translates to “special phở,” and it’s essentially an enhanced version of the classic beef phở (Phở Bò). The word “đặc biệt” means “special” in Vietnamese, and it refers to the use of various beef cuts, such as:

Thinly sliced rare beef (tái)

Well-done brisket (chín)

Beef tendon (gân)

Beef tripe (sách)

Meatballs (bò viên)

The star of the dish, however, is the broth — a slow-simmered beef bone broth infused with fragrant spices, herbs, and seasonings. Phở broth is known for its deep, layered flavors, which come from hours of simmering bones, spices, and aromatics.

Ingredients for Phở Đặc Biệt

Before you start preparing the dish, you’ll need to gather the ingredients for both the broth and the toppings.

For the Broth:

Beef bones (preferably marrow bones or knuckle bones) — 2–3 lbs

Beef brisket — 1 lb

Beef tendon — ½ lb

Beef tripe (optional) — ½ lb

Yellow onions — 2, halved

Ginger — 1 large piece, halved

Cinnamon sticks — 2

Star anise — 4–5 pieces

Cloves — 5–6 pieces

Coriander seeds — 1 tablespoon

Rock sugar — 2 tablespoons

Fish sauce — 1/4 cup

Salt — to taste

Water — enough to cover bones (about 5–6 liters)

For the Noodle Soup:

Fresh or dried rice noodles (bánh phở) — 1 lb

Thinly sliced raw beef sirloin or eye of round (for tái) — ½ lb

Beef meatballs (bò viên) — 8–10 pieces, halved

Green onions — thinly sliced for garnish

Cilantro — chopped for garnish

Bean sprouts — for serving

Thai basil — fresh leaves for serving

Lime wedges — for serving

Hoisin sauce — for serving

Sriracha sauce — for serving

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Phở Đặc Biệt

1. Preparing the Beef Broth

The most crucial step in making Phở Đặc Biệt is creating a flavorful broth. This requires a combination of beef bones, aromatics, and spices, simmered over several hours to develop deep flavors.

Step 1: Clean and Blanch the Beef Bones

Rinse the beef bones thoroughly under cold water.

In a large pot, add the bones and enough water to cover them.

Bring to a boil and allow the bones to cook for 10 minutes to remove impurities. You’ll notice foam rising to the surface; skim this off.

Drain the water, rinse the bones again, and set them aside.

Step 2: Char the Onions and Ginger

To add smoky flavor to your broth, char the onions and ginger.

Place the halved onions and ginger on an open flame (on a grill or directly over your stovetop burner) until they are lightly charred on all sides. This step enhances the depth of flavor in the broth.

Once charred, peel off any overly burnt parts and set them aside.

Step 3: Toast the Spices

In a dry skillet, toast the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Toasting the spices releases their essential oils, intensifying the flavor.

Once toasted, place the spices in a spice bag or cheesecloth to prevent them from floating freely in the broth.

Step 4: Simmer the Broth

In a large pot, add the cleaned bones, charred onions, ginger, and spice bag.

Fill the pot with about 5–6 liters of water and bring it to a boil.

Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook the broth for 4–6 hours. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface to keep the broth clear.

After simmering, remove the bones, onions, ginger, and spices from the broth.

Add rock sugar, fish sauce, and salt to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

2. Preparing the Beef Cuts

While the broth simmers, prepare the various cuts of beef that will be featured in your Phở Đặc Biệt.

Step 1: Cook the Brisket

In a separate pot, simmer the beef brisket in water until tender (about 1.5–2 hours).

Once cooked, remove the brisket and let it cool. Slice the brisket into thin pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef Tendon and Tripe (Optional)

If you’re using tendon and tripe, simmer them separately until tender. Tendon may take about 2–3 hours to soften.

Once cooked, slice the tendon and tripe into bite-sized pieces.

3. Prepare the Rice Noodles

Rice noodles, or bánh phở, are the base of this noodle soup. You can use fresh or dried noodles.

If using fresh noodles, simply blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then drain and set aside.

If using dried noodles, cook them according to the package instructions (usually 5–6 minutes), then drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.

4. Assemble the Phở Đặc Biệt

Now that your broth and beef cuts are ready, it’s time to assemble the soup.

Step 1: Arrange the Noodles

In individual bowls, place a portion of the cooked rice noodles as the base.

Step 2: Add the Beef

Top the noodles with a variety of beef cuts:

Thinly sliced raw beef (tái): Place these slices directly on top of the noodles. The hot broth will cook the meat to a perfect tenderness.

Slices of cooked brisket, tendon, and tripe: Arrange them around the raw beef slices.

Beef meatballs (bò viên): Add a few halved meatballs to each bowl for extra flavor.

Step 3: Pour the Broth

Ladle the hot, aromatic broth over the noodles and beef, making sure the broth is hot enough to cook the raw beef slices.

Add green onions and cilantro as garnish.

5. Serving Your Phở Đặc Biệt

Phở is traditionally served with a variety of garnishes and condiments that allow each person to customize their bowl according to taste.

Garnishes:

Fresh bean sprouts

Thai basil leaves

Lime wedges

Sliced jalapeño or chili peppers (optional for heat)

Condiments:

Hoisin sauce: Adds a sweet, savory flavor.

Sriracha sauce: For a spicy kick.

When serving, allow each diner to add their preferred garnishes and sauces. Some like a squeeze of lime for acidity, while others may enjoy a mix of hoisin and Sriracha for a sweet and spicy flavor.

Tips for Perfecting Your Phở Đặc Biệt

Use high-quality bones: The flavor of the broth largely depends on the quality of your beef bones. Marrow or knuckle bones are ideal for a rich, gelatinous broth.

Simmer low and slow: To extract the best flavor, simmer the broth gently for 4–6 hours. Don’t rush this step — phở is all about depth of flavor.

Skim the broth: Regularly skim the surface of the broth to remove impurities. This ensures a clean, clear broth.

Balance the flavors: Phở broth should have a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and umami flavors. Adjust the fish sauce, sugar, and salt until the taste is just right.

Thinly slice the raw beef: The raw beef slices should be very thin so they cook quickly in the hot broth. You can freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing to make this easier.

To Summarize

Phở Đặc Biệt is a true culinary masterpiece that showcases the beauty of Vietnamese cooking. From its flavorful, aromatic broth to its variety of tender beef cuts, this dish offers a complex yet comforting dining experience. While making phở at home requires time and patience, the result is well worth the effort.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to create an authentic bowl of Phở Đặc Biệt that’s sure to impress family and friends. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home, this beef noodle soup will fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas and your heart with warmth.

So, gather your ingredients, set aside some time, and enjoy the process of crafting your own Phở Đặc Biệt — a dish that’s as rich in flavor as it is in tradition.

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