Go Back
Close-up shot of a white bowl filled with Spicy Shrimp Pho, featuring rice noodles, a rich red broth, whole cooked shrimp, and fresh garnishes like cilantro and sliced green chili peppers.

Spicy Shrimp Pho

A bold, aromatic Vietnamese-style pho made with spicy broth, tender shrimp, fresh herbs, and rice noodles—comforting, light, and full of flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main, Soup
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Broth Base
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger sliced
  • 1 red chili sliced
  • 6 cups seafood or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha
Noodles & Shrimp
  • 8 ounces rice noodles
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
Toppings
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and red chili. Sauté 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili paste.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to deepen flavors.
  4. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  5. Add shrimp to simmering broth and cook 3–4 minutes, until pink and opaque.
  6. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Divide noodles into bowls and ladle hot broth and shrimp over top.
  8. Top with bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, lime wedges, and green onions.
  9. Serve steaming hot.

Notes

For extra heat, add extra chili paste or sliced fresh chilies to each serving.