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Shrimp Pho – Vietnamese Noodle Soup

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My Shrimp Pho is a faster, easier weeknight version that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen making the traditional bone-marrow broth. This aromatic shrimp noodle soup is warm, satisfying and full of flavor thanks to all of the herbs and spices.

Shrimp Pho Recipe - an easy Vietnamese pho recipe

When I was pregnant, I craved pho (pronounced “fuh”)  all. the. time. To this day, I continue to crave it and make it at home at least 2-3 times a month. Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup made with beef or chicken broth.  Just like every Italian has a different meatball recipe, every bowl of pho will taste slightly different depending on who prepares the dish. Of course, there’s much more to it than that so here is The Evolution of Pho.

Easy Pho Recipe - a homemade shrimp pho soup

Why do I crave it? The intensely flavored broth is full of warm toasted spices, fresh flavors and aromatics.  As you slurp the rice noodles, warm broth and bright herbs, you are instantly transported to another world.  A delicious and happy world.

My Shrimp Pho is a faster, easier weeknight version that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen making the traditional bone-marrow broth. I leave that to the experts at my favorite local Vietnamese restaurant. ;-) Instead, I rely on a few shortcuts like boxed chicken stock and often use shrimp or chicken instead of beef. Additionally, I like throwing in leafy greens at the end such as bok choy or spinach.

Shrimp Pho - an easy homemade Vietnamese soup recipe

There are a million and one ways to make pho and in fact, my version continues to evolve over time. There’s my Vietnamese Chicken Soup (Faux Pho) which I made before I learned the secret about toasting the spices. Another tip? Garnish with thinly sliced onion. I learned that one recently at my local nail salon when the owner of the shop shared a bowl of her homemade soup!

Lastly, lemon peel is a great substitute for lemongrass which adds a ton of flavor and doesn’t require a trip to the Asian market. Although Asian markets are probably one of my favorite places on the planet. :)

Your bowl is waiting.

 

4.62 from 26 votes
Shrimp Pho - Vietnamese Noodle Soup - The Lemon Bowl
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Shrimp Pho - Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

My Shrimp Pho is a faster, easier weeknight version that doesn't require hours in the kitchen making the traditional bone-marrow broth. This aromatic shrimp noodle soup is warm, satisfying and full of flavor thanks to all of the herbs and spices.

Course: Soup
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Servings: 4
Calories: 450 kcal
Author: Liz DellaCroce
Ingredients
  • 8 oz rice noodles thin or pad thai style
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds or 1/2 teaspoon ground
  • 2 cloves whole or 1/4 teaspoon ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns or 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons ginger root minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili garlic paste
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 strips lemon peel use carrot peeler
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 8 cups bok choy stem thinly sliced & leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 lb shrimp raw
Optional Garnishes
  • thinly sliced onion
  • slices jalapeno
  • cilantro
  • lime wedges
  • hoisin sauce
  • sriracha
  • bean sprouts
  • Thai basil
US Measurements - Convert to Metric
Instructions
  1. Prepare rice noodles according to package directions and set aside.
  2. Toast coriander, cloves and peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until they become aromatic. Remove from heat and crush with mortar and pestle or spice grinder; set aside.
  3. In a large soup pot, warm sesame oil over medium heat for 30-60 seconds until it starts to shimmer. Add ginger and chili garlic paste then stir for 30 seconds to release flavors.
  4. Stir in chicken broth, lemon peel, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, hoisin, cinnamon and reserved toasted spices. Bring mixture to a boil then add shrimp and bok choy.
  5. Continue to simmer until shrimp turns bright pink and bok choy wilts - about 3-4 minutes. Check for seasoning and add salt/pepper/soy if necessary.
  6. Divide rice noodles evenly between four large bowls and ladle soup into each bowl.
  7. Serve with optional garnishes.
Nutrition Facts
Shrimp Pho - Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 450 Calories from Fat 57
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6.3g 10%
Saturated Fat 0.6g 3%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.7g
Cholesterol 156mg 52%
Sodium 1839mg 77%
Total Carbohydrates 65g 22%
Dietary Fiber 3.1g 12%
Sugars 3.2g
Protein 31.9g 64%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

For more Asian recipes, check out my Pinterest board!

Shrimp Pho - Vietnamese Noodle Soup

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I finally found this recipe, about 4-5 years late

    Sounds really good but I prefer lemon grass to lemon rind. How much lemon grass would you recommend?

    Reply

  3. Okay. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I probably make it spicier and fill it with as much fresh cilantro as I possibly can but when I make this for my husband, he doesn’t speak. He just keeps saying, “this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten”. And it is. Thank you Liz for sharing it and enhancing our lives. Xxx

    Reply

  4. I came across your recipe on Pinterest and decided to try it… And I just had to come back and let you know that it was absolutely delicious! Im a huge fan of ethnic dishes but so many recipes require ingredients that are not easily accessible or expensive, so I appreciated the simplicity and practicality of this recipe. I will definitely make this again. Thanks for creating such a yummy and easy recipe!

    Reply

  5. I am so glad to have finally found a great site that actually give a cholesterol count. Thank you so much, it makes my life much easier. :)

    Reply

  6. So good!!
    I just made it!!! I added scallions and mushrooms in the brooth and garnished with them both too.

    Great TASTY easy recipe!!!

    Reply

  7. This was Phonomenal!!! Hub already asked me to make it again. I used jumbo shrimp but also added some thinly sliced grilled chicken, since I had it. Also added sliced mushrooms and spicy bean sprouts along with all of the other optional ingredients. Going in the “keeper” files, PHO sure! Thank you so much.

    Reply

  8. I just wanted to let you know I tried this one last night and it worked great! Because I had so much minced fresh ginger and I used ground spices, I actually put the broth through a sieve before proceeding by adding in the shrimp. I like the broth a bit more clear if that makes sense. I just made sure I simmered it a bit longer so all the tastes were infused before discarding the spices. I will definitely try it again!

    Reply

  9. I’m so glad I found your recipes, especially this one. I made this with a few substitutions: I love squid so got some fresh squid from Whole Foods, I also used scallops and mussels in addition to the shrimp. I used a delicious seafood base instead of chicken broth, and I love the sweet and sour flavor tamarind gives dishes so added some tamarind as well. I’ve eaten Pho for years and never thought I could make it but thanks to your recipe I realize how easy it is. Also, my nail technician talked me into it. He kept telling me I could make it so I thought I’d give it a try. Thanks so much for making this delicious recipe available. I’m trying the fresh spring wraps next!

    Reply

    • I love squid too – what an awesome idea!!! I wish we lived closer to a whole foods. So glad you enjoyed this recipe!! Let me know if you try the spring rolls!!

      Reply

  10. I know you love this soup so this is probably a silly question but do you know if this freezes well? It’s just me at home and I don’t eat much so, 4 servings would really end up be like 8 and while I love Pho not sure if I want to eat it 8 times in a row…

    Reply

  12. Made this tonight for dinner because the hubs was feeling under the weather, and I find that pho always makes you feel better. We both loved it! Didn’t have hoisin on hand so I subbed oyster sauce, and we also added some thinly sliced mushrooms along with the bok choy. I think I might tone down the cloves just a tad next time, though the hubs thought they were spot on. Great recipe, will make this often!

    Reply

    • Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!! Just reading your comment has me craving it again!! Love the idea of mushrooms and bok choy!! Thanks so much!

      Reply

  13. I have always been a soup lover. Lately i have been totally hooked on Pho. Recently I took a trip to San Diego to an authentic noodle house and now I crave it all the time. Looking forward to trying this version. Thanks so much!!

    Reply

  14. Are you sure there’s only 8 cups of the noodle soup we are making it at the moment and there’s only a bit of broth and a lot of extra ingredients, but other than that it taste great

    Reply

  15. Made this today and it was deeelicious!! I was worried it wouldn’t come out right since I’ve never made it before/didn’t even know what bok choy was or where to find it, but it was so good :) I’ve been craving pho for a while and this hit the spot. Can’t wait to see what my Vietnamese mom thinks of it!!

    Reply

  16. I had never had Pho before, but my daughter loves it. She gave me this recipe and asked me to make it. I used chicken instead of shrimp, and we are eating it right now. It is really good. I especially like the crunch of the bean sprouts. The flavor is delicious. My husband said he would go to a restaurant for this, he likes it that much:)

    Reply

  17. I just made this soup is so flavorful ! my bf ate two bowls and I did too. My favorite part was the broth.

    Reply

  18. I’ve been dyiiiiiiiiiiiing to try Pho. I’ve never even had it in a restaurant, Liz!! Every time I see it on a blog, it looks sooo flipping good. I love how your recipe is a fast preperation… who has time to do all that work during the week?! I’ll add this to my food to-do list! Thanks for the awesome recipe! :)

    Reply

  26. Liz,
    Love pho!
    Your comment about lemongrass instantly has me wondering if I can freeze the lemongrass I get in my CSA farm share in the summer (decidedly NOT Pho season for me) for use in the winter. I will investigate this year. I usually make sun tea with it, which is good, but Pho would be better.
    Thanks!

    Reply

  30. I LOVE PHO!! I’m so thrilled you posted this recipe!! I really have been dying to make it at home instead of going out to eat it. They put WAY too much salt in the broth at Pho places and I’m glad I can tailor it at home now :)

    Reply

  36. YUM. This looks amazing. Shrimp Pho is my absolute favorite. How about Pho is like the unofficial soup of Seattle? I didn’t know that till after I moved here but it’s a thing and there is pretty much a Pho place for every Starbucks (which means every block lol).

    Reply

  40. Perfect!
    I love pho… But this one is going to be my favorite as I am going little lighter on red meat and Shrimps are my first love… seriously…LOL
    B/W I am loving your new banner, I saw it on FB too… Look’s really nice :)

    Reply

    • Thank you so much – I appreciate it!!!! And yes, I have never made it with beef either but make it with shrimp or chicken all the time!!

      Reply

  43. I love Asian soups..love them! I have a place near my work that serves up huge bowls of soup, like this. I actually haven’t tried pho but it is on my list. This looks healthy and delicious.

    Reply

    • That’s the best thing about this soup – I almost always have stuff to make it and can either add chicken or shrimp based on what I have!! Let me know if you try it :)

      Reply

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