Pho Gà – Vietnamese chicken noodle soup

A lighter version of Vietnam's national soup using chicken instead of beef. Aromatic star anise and cinnamon broth with silky rice noodles and fresh herbs.

• 1 whole chicken
• 300 g flat rice noodles
• 2 onions, halved and charred
• 1 piece ginger, charred
• 3 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• Salt
• Bean sprouts, basil, lime and chilli for serving

Method

1. 1
   Char the onions and ginger directly over a flame.
2. 2
   Toast the spices in a dry pan.
3. 3
   Simmer the whole chicken in water with charred aromatics and spices for 1 hour.
4. 4
   Remove the chicken, shred the meat and set aside.
5. 5
   Strain the broth and season with fish sauce and salt.
6. 6
   Serve rice noodles in the broth topped with chicken. Accompany with bean sprouts, basil, lime and chilli.