Faux Pho

  • 2
  • 30 mins
  • 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 small onion
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 3x1' piece peeled ginger
  • 2 1/2 cups low-salt beef broth
  • 1 whole star anise
  • 1 3'–4' cinnamon stick
  • 4 ounces (2 cups) mixed mushrooms (such as oyster or stemmed shiitake), thinly sliced or torn
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 packages instant ramen (preferably not fried; noodles only)
  • 1 1/4 –1/2-pound piece beef eye round, sliced crosswise 1/8' thick
  • Bean sprouts, basil leaves, and thinly sliced serrano chiles

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add onion, cut side down, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden, 3–4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, broth, star anise, and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until flavors meld, 7–8 minutes. Add mushrooms; simmer 2 minutes. Add scallion. Season with salt.

Meanwhile, boil ramen until tender but still firm to bite. Drain; divide among bowls.

Add beef slices to soup; simmer until just cooked through, about 20 seconds. Using tongs, transfer beef to bowls.

Discard ginger, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon; ladle broth into bowls. Garnish with bean sprouts, basil, and sliced chiles.