{"id":6790,"date":"2025-03-25T00:05:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T07:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iamafoodblog.com\/?p=6790"},"modified":"2025-06-28T15:19:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T22:19:14","slug":"bun-bo-hue-recipe-the-spicy-vietnamese-noodle-soup-you-never-knew-you-loved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamafoodblog.com\/bun-bo-hue-recipe-the-spicy-vietnamese-noodle-soup-you-never-knew-you-loved\/","title":{"rendered":"Bun Bo Hue: Maybe Better than Pho?"},"content":{"rendered":"

B\u00fan B\u00f2 Hu\u1ebf is a spicy Vietnamese noodle soup that is absolutely one of the best noodle soups in the world. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Unlike the ubiquitous, well-loved and well-known pho, bun bo hue is strangely not as popular. But those in the know, know: Bun bo hue is where it\u2019s at.<\/p>\n

Any good cook will tell you that homemade soups are a labour of love. They take time and a little bit of effort, but like any thing that is worth waiting for, they are absolutely heartwarming. Soups, especially noodle soups, are my go to bowl of comfort. I love the flavors and combination of textures (solid and liquid, squishy and firm), the slurping, the messiness, the fun, the satisfaction. And if you had to ask me what my all time favorite noodle soup was, I would probably say: bun bo hue.<\/p>\n

\"bun<\/picture><\/p>\n

When we started going out, Mike told me that bun bo hue was one of his favorite soups growing up. He took us out for a couple of bowls of BBH (as Mike and I lovingly call it) and I was addicted. I\u2019ve been wanting to make BBH ever since.<\/p>\n

BBH isn\u2019t quite as popular as pho and I\u2019m not quite sure why. It might be because it\u2019s from Central Vietnam or it might just be because it hasn\u2019t yet made its way into the spotlight. But, if you look for it, you can find BBH specialists. There\u2019s even a place down in San Diego that has a BYOP (bring your own pot) so you can bring home enough BBH for your whole family and then some.<\/p>\n

Note: this recipe was first posted in 2014 and has been updated since to our most recent version, if you’re looking for the old version, leave us a note in the comments.<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n

\"bun<\/picture><\/p>\n

What is bun bo hue?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve never had bun bo hue, think of all the things you love about pho and then increase them by 10. Bun bo hue is pho\u2019s hotter, younger, spicier cousin. They share the same general bones: piping hot flavorful stock, slippery noodles, slices of tender beef, and fresh herbs to punch it up. But, while pho is made with just beef, BBH is made with beef and pork, as well as herbaceous lemongrass and a crazy addictive sat\u00e9 that turns the whole soup a gorgeous golden red.<\/p>\n

Bun bo hue Soup<\/h2>\n

The soup is a fiery orange-red thanks to a spicy red hot chili oil made from two kinds of chilis, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, and fish sauce. The rice noodles, thicker and a different shape than the flat ones in pho, are cylindrical and round, slippery and firm. The brisket is tender and the garnishes add the freshness you expect when eating a bowl of Vietnamese food. It\u2019s spicy, savory, sour and sweet all at once \u2013 both balanced and in your face.<\/p>\n

\"bun<\/picture><\/p>\n

Is bun bo hue #worthit?<\/h2>\n

The first time I made this was for Mike\u2019s birthday one year and even though it was a lot of work for my inexperienced self back then, the warm cozy comfort of that first sip blew me away. It was totally worth it, and we\u2019ve been making it ever since.<\/p>\n

Noodle soup is a gift to yourself and to the ones you love. After all, love is like soup: warm and cozy, nourishing and filling. Love is the crook of your best friend\u2019s arm as you fall asleep at dawn, bursting into laughter together over nothing at all, long lingering walks talking about everything and nothing. Love is noodle soup, the big things, the little things, and everything in between.<\/p>\n

Are you convinced? Make this because you love yourself or make it for someone you love. Let\u2019s do this!<\/h3>\n

\"bun<\/picture><\/p>\n

First things first, where is bun bo hue from?<\/h2>\n

Bun bo hue is a noodle soup from the city of Hue, Vietnam. The name literally means beef noodle soup from Hue. It\u2019s beloved in Vietnam and since its conception has gone from a soup made with solely beef to a beef-based soup with other good things like pork hock and ham added in.<\/p>\n

Bun bo hue ingredients<\/h2>\n

Bun bo hue is made up of three main components: the soup, the sat\u1ebf, and the stuff.<\/p>\n

The soup<\/h2>\n

The stock or soup of bun bo hue is really easy to make, you just need time (or an Instant Pot).<\/p>\n