If any of you have been in the clinic when it’s been cold and nasty outside, chances are you have had heard us say “It’s Pho weather.” (Pho is pronounced “Fuh.”) Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles, a few herbs, and usually, meat. Think of the Noodle Soup in the movie, “Kung Fu Panda.”
Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam, and was sold at dawn and dusk by roaming street vendors, who shouldered mobile kitchens on carrying poles. From the pole hung two wooden cabinets, one housing a cauldron over a wood fire, the other storing noodles, spices, cookware, and space to prepare a bowl of pho. Pho vendors kept their heads warm with distinctive, disheveled felt hats called mũ phở.
The most important part of Pho is the broth. Not only is it warm and yummy, but also many of the herbs used to create it have very medicinal properties. Seasonings/herbs can include cinnamon, star anise, roasted ginger, roasted onion, black cardamom, coriander seed, fennel seed, and clove. The broth takes several hours to make.
So, what’s the big deal about this soup anyway?
Pho is great if you are experience stomach or digestive issues due to “cold.” “Cold” can be caused by diet, from eating too many cold or raw foods. Cold can be caused from the actual temperature of food items that are literally cold, such as ice water or ice cream. It also can be from uncooked foods such as raw vegetables and salads. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat ice cream or a salad ever again. It means learning to balance your choices. Enjoy a hot beverage with your salad, such as Tea; or add an ingredient, like ginger (a “warm” food), to the dish to add balance.
How do you eat Pho? Anyway you want. It is usually served with a side of bean sprouts, mint, lime and jalapeños. It you take 3 friends with you, chances are, each one of you will eat it differently. For example, I usually put in one or 2 jalapeños and eat all the noodles but leave some broth. Mandy adds bean sprouts, all the jalapeños, drinks all the broth and leaves half of the noodles. Our friend Shani adds everything (and she always asks for extra chili sauce). All of us enjoy putting Sriracha in it. So, however you eat it is up to you!
If you live in Lexington, KY, the Pho place for you is “Pho BC” on W Lowry in the Regency Shopping Center (across from the Kroger).
Enjoy and Stay Warm!
Hardin Field V, C.Ac, MSTOM at Stream Point Wellness
