Eating vegan pho is a wonderfully flavorful and customizable experience, much like eating traditional pho. Here is a guide on how to approach your bowl:

1. The initial taste

• Taste the broth first: Before adding anything, take a spoon and taste the broth. The chef has seasoned it, but the beauty of pho is customizing the flavor to your personal preference.

2. Customize with garnishes

The side plate of fresh vegetables and herbs is essential for adding complexity and fragrance to your bowl.

• Herbs: tear up the leaves of Thai basil (or holy basil), cilantro, and mint and mix them into the hot broth. The heat will wilt them slightly, releasing their essential oils and aroma, which is key to the final flavor.

• Bean Sprouts (Giá): add a handful of fresh bean sprouts for a clean, crunchy texture.

• Lime: squeeze the wedge of lime juice over the bowl for a burst of essential acidity and brightness.

• Chili: if you like heat, add fresh chili slices (like jalapeño or bird’s eye chili) directly to the bowl, or use the available chili sauce/oil.

3. Adjusting the flavor with condiments (optional)

At a restaurant, you’ll typically find several condiments on the table. Use these sparingly to achieve your perfect balance:

• Hoisin sauce: this thick, dark sauce adds a sweet, savory, and tangy component. Check that it is vegan (some contain honey). You can add a small amount directly to your bowl or, more traditionally, pour some into a small saucer and use it as a dipping sauce for your vegan protein (tofu, seitan, or mushrooms).

• Sriracha/Chili sauce: add a little of this for heat. Like hoisin, you can add it to the bowl or use it as a dipping sauce.

• Garlic vinegar (or fresh garlic slices): This provides a fermented tang. Use a tiny bit for a complex sour flavor.

• Soy sauce/Vegan fish sauce: if the broth isn’t salty or savory enough, you can add a drop of soy sauce or a vegan substitute for fish sauce (which is a common seasoning in Vietnamese cuisine).

4. The eating technique

• Chopsticks and Spoon: use your chopsticks to pick up the rice noodles and your vegan protein/vegetables. Use the large soup spoon to sip the broth and to eat the smaller ingredients.

• Mixing: the proper way to enjoy pho is to mix the foods and chew them together while your mouth is filled with broth. This constant mixing of flavors and textures—from the soft noodles, the crunchy sprouts, the fragrant herbs, and the rich, complex broth—is what makes pho special.

• Slurping: don’t be shy about slurping the noodles! It’s a sign of enjoyment and perfectly acceptable.

• Finishing: it is not considered rude to leave some noodles, but finishing the broth is a compliment to the chef, indicating you found it delicious.

Pro-Tip for ordering vegan Pho:

If you are ordering at a non-vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant, you must be clear:

1. Ask for “Phở Chay” (pronounced like “fuh chai”), which translates to vegetarian pho.

2. Confirm the broth: ask, “Is the broth made with vegetable broth, and is it made without fish sauce?” Some places might use chicken or beef broth for a “vegetable pho” if you don’t specify it is completely vegan/vegetarian.