Phở Vịt [Duck Phở]

This recipe was inspired by my Mì Vịt Tiềm [Saigon Style Duck Noodle] recipe. Given the similarities in the uses of warm spices between Mì Vịt Tiềm and souther style beef Phở, I fused the two together to create Duck Phở. [note: I am not making any claims to or credits to creating this dish. However, this specific recipe was a result of my creative process.]

---Pho History---

[Pre-Occupation]

Pho was originally made with water buffalo. And it wasn’t as popular at the time. It was a regional dish found in Northern Vietnamese provinces. It wasn’t the 19th century [In the era of French Occupation] that Water Buffalo in Pho was replaced with the European cow, specifically in Hanoi.

[French Occupation, 1900-1950s]

There are many contributing factors and theories. However, there was on the main fact gave birth to Beef Pho;

Hanoi was the capital of French-Indochina [compiled nations of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and the Chinese territory of Guangzhuowan]. Thus, translating a strong presence of French colonists. The demand from French palates brought the European cow.

Naturally, the European cow (as an ingredient) would find its way to Hanoi’s food scene to be utilized as an essential ingredient; beef found its way to be the permanent substitute for water buffalo in pho. Considering these historical contexts and cultural intersections, going into the 20th century, Pho would be a an iconic staple in street food in Hanoi. And its popularity was contagious. In the next 50 years, Pho would go from a local Hanoi favorite to a national dish.

[Vietnamese Communism & Food Rationing, 1950s-1975]

In the latter half of the 20th century, food rationing was imposed on the citizens of Vietnam, in particular rice. And left no room for other ingredients (beef) as it was considered a luxury item. This “shift in policy” is immediately reflected in the way people cook. Recipes were adapted. And Vietnam’s iconic Beef Pho evolved to Chicken Pho. As chicken pho stalls overtook Vietnam’s street with popularity, different regions in Vietnam started to form their own styles. Most notably, in the north and south.