Vietnamese Beef Pho Noodle Soup
Vietnamese pho (phở bò) is Vietnam's best-known national soup: a clear beef broth simmered for 12 hours with star anise, cinnamon and ginger, poured over rice noodles, thin slices of beef and fresh herbs. It has a low glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈50), because broth and protein dominate over the starch.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Start with the aromatic broth and the beef, and fill your bowl with a big handful of bean sprouts, basil, mint and lime while using fewer noodles.
Best preparation methods
The secret of pho is charring ginger and onion over a flame before simmering them with beef bones and aromatic spices, for a deep, clear, collagen-rich broth with no added oil.
Important Nutritional Note
Beef broth is rich in dissolved collagen and glycine, which help repair the gut lining and joints, and rice noodles are light and gluten-free for sensitive diets.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (500 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80 kcal | 400 kcal |
| Protein | 5.6 g | 28 g |
| Carbohydrate | 9.6 g | 48 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 9 g | 45 g |
| Fat | 1.6 g | 8 g |
| Dietary fibre | 0.6 g | 3 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Asian dishes with a glycemic index (18), it ranks 11 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Vietnamese pho suitable for people with diabetes and on a diet?
Yes, it is excellent if the rice noodles are limited: the broth is rich in protein and collagen, free of heavy fat, and its glycemic index is low (≈50).
What is the nutritional value of a large bowl of beef pho (500 g)?
A bowl provides about 400 kcal, 28 g of pure protein, 8 g of fat and around 48 g of carbohydrate from the rice noodles and vegetables.
Why is the beef added raw to the hot pho bowl (phở tái)?
Paper-thin raw slices go into the bowl and the boiling broth is poured over them, so they cook in seconds and stay tender and juicy without drying out.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.