On November 17, CNN released its 2024 list of the top 20 dishes with exceptional broths, aimed at food-loving travelers seeking gastronomic inspiration for upcoming journeys.

The selection criteria extended beyond the popularity of a dish in its local context. It also considered the broth’s exquisite and unique flavors, as well as its nourishing qualities and health benefits.

The essence of Vietnamese beef pho

CNN editor Jen Rose Smith expressed admiration for Vietnamese beef pho, highlighting its fragrant broth. The broth is slow-simmered for hours with warm spices like cinnamon, star anise, and other aromatics, creating a rich and inviting flavor profile.

While modern menus feature a wide variety of pho dishes, Andrea Nguyen, author of The Pho Cookbook, describes beef pho as the original and quintessential version.

Dating back to the early 1930s, Vietnamese cooks began blanching raw beef slices in the broth, serving them alongside flat rice noodles. Today, beef pho remains the most beloved and widely enjoyed version in Vietnam, with variations including rare beef, brisket, flank, and tendon.

Global recognition for Vietnamese pho

This is not the first time Vietnamese beef pho has been celebrated on CNN’s lists. In 2021, it was honored in a similar ranking, and in 2022, CNN included it in the top 50 best street foods in Asia.

Furthermore, the culinary guide Taste Atlas ranked beef pho third among the top 10 meat-based broths globally in 2023, solidifying its place in the international culinary spotlight.

Do An