A real phở takes some effort. Hours of simmering the bones, skimming the scum, keeping an eye on the pot… In other words, a Sunday project, when you have the time. Except that the craving for a steaming, fragrant, and comforting bowl doesn’t give you any warning. It hits on a weeknight, when you come home tired and have neither the time nor the energy to start all over again.

The good news is that you can have both: the rich flavor of a slow-simmered bone broth and the simplicity of a dish that comes together in a quarter of an hour.

Why does it work?
The secret is that the hardest part is already done. Our beef bone broth has simmered for hours before being poured into the jar. Everything that gives phở its rich flavor is already there:

Collagen, for the skin and joints
Minerals from bones
And above all, that deep umami—that rich, savory flavor you can’t fake
So there’s nothing left to extract, nothing to watch over for hours. You start with a base that’s already full of flavor, and bring it to life with the right herbs and spices.

The recipe
Ingredients:

1 jar of Mon Bouillon beef bone broth
Lemongrass, ginger, star anise
A cinnamon stick (optional)
Rice vermicelli
Thinly sliced beef
Bean sprouts, red onion
Cilantro, mint, or Thai basil
Chili pepper (for those who like it spicy)
A lime
Steps:

1️⃣ Pour the bone broth into a saucepan and add the lemongrass, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Let it simmer over low heat.

2️⃣ While the flavors are infusing, cook the rice vermicelli in boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain them.

3️⃣ Assemble the bowl: rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, bean sprouts, and red onion.

4️⃣ Pour the piping-hot broth over the top, which just sears the beef.

5️⃣ Finish with fresh herbs, chili pepper, and a splash of freshly squeezed lime juice to bring out the flavors.

's Special Touch What makes this phở so simple is that it doesn't require any complicated cooking: just assemble, pour, and enjoy. The lime, added at the very last moment, makes all the difference. It adds a freshness that balances out the depth of the broth.

A real comfort food in a bowl. Without spending the whole afternoon making it. 🥣