Pho Roll: Hanoi's Fresh Bite
A fresh and flavorful Vietnamese dish from Hanoi, Phở cuốn consists of thinly sliced marinated beef and aromatic herbs wrapped in soft, uncut sheets of pho noodles, served with a zesty dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 200 g beef sirloin or flank steak
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 12 sheets fresh pho noodle sheets uncut
- 1 head lettuce washed and separated
- 0.5 bunch cilantro fresh sprigs
- 0.5 bunch mint fresh sprigs
- 0.5 bunch basil fresh sprigs
- 1 medium cucumber julienned
- 1 medium carrot julienned
- 3 tbsp fish sauce for dipping sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar for dipping sauce
- 4 tbsp water for dipping sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice for dipping sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 small red chili sliced
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl, combine thinly sliced beef with minced garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Let marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 4 tbsp water, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and sliced chili (if using). Set aside.
- Cook the beef: Heat a pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly until just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook; the beef should remain tender.
- Prepare ingredients for rolling: Lay out the pho noodle sheets on a clean surface. Arrange the lettuce, cilantro, mint, basil, julienned cucumber, and carrot next to them.
- Assemble the rolls: Place a pho noodle sheet on your workspace. Lay a piece of lettuce, a few sprigs of herbs, some cucumber and carrot strips, and a portion of cooked beef near one end of the noodle sheet.
- Roll tightly: Fold in the sides of the pho sheet over the filling, then roll it up tightly from the end closest to you, creating a compact cylinder. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Serve: Arrange the Phở cuốn on a platter and serve immediately with the prepared Nuoc Cham dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
For the best texture, use very fresh, pliable pho noodle sheets. If they are stiff, you can lightly steam them for a minute to soften. Adjust chili in the dipping sauce to your spice preference. These rolls are best enjoyed fresh.