2.25 kg marrow or bones, either beef or pork (5 pounds)
1.5 kg beef chuck, cut into 2 large pieces (3.3 pound)
2 bunch of scallions (cut into half)
½ cup fish sauce
3 ounce rock sugar (crystal or granulated sugar is also fine)
2 tablespoon salt
Spice Pack
9 star anise
6 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 black cardamom pod
2 small licorice root (optional)
2 tsp fennel seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
2 tablespoon salt
Garnishes
Mung bean sprouts
Thai basil (normal basil is also fine as a substitute)
Chopped Cilantro
Thinly slice onions
Lime wedges
Chopped scallions
Assembly
⅓ pound frozen beef sirloin (hot pot meat)
1 pound dried pho noodles
Instructions
Place the beef chuck and bones in a large pot and fill it with cold water to cover. Bring to boil and boil for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse the beef chuck and bones very well. Clean the large pot. This step is important to have a clear broth, free from any blood scum.
Char peeled onions and ginger.
Toast the spice on medium-high heat till fragrant. Place into a spice packet.
Place cleaned beef chuck and bones back into the clean pot. Add the charred onions, ginger, scallions, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and spice pack and fill the pot with 8 quarts of cold water. Bring to boil and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for the next 4 hours.
Fat will rise to the surface. Use a mesh strainer to skim the fat and any scum that might float to the top.
Add some more salt and/or fish sauce and continue to simmer, occasionally tasting the broth and adding any more adjustments as needed.
Remove and dispose of the bones, ginger, onions, and spice pack. Remove the beef chuck and set aside.
To assembly, cook the noodles as instructed. In a bowl, place the noodles, a few slices of beef chuck and raw sirloin