Sour Pho is a common dish in some northern mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang , Cao Bang... but it is most delicious and popular in Lang Son.

Although called pho, the form and preparation of Lang Son sour pho are not the same as other traditional pho dishes.

The most obvious difference is that pho chua is not served with hot broth but is combined with a cool, sweet and sour sauce and enjoyed by mixing the ingredients like a salad in the lowlands.

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Sour pho is a famous specialty of Lang Son. Photo: Ngo Uy

Ms. Lien - owner of a sour pho restaurant in Lang Son city said, a bowl of sour pho consists of two parts.

The dry part has rice noodles that are blanched in warm water. The type of rice noodles used for pho chua must be large and chewy so that they do not become soft or broken when cooked.

There is also char siu, stomach, crispy fried pig liver, thinly sliced ​​Chinese sausage, julienned sweet potatoes or fried potatoes, dried onions, cucumbers, herbs..., especially roast duck - a famous specialty in Lang Son.

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Lang Son sour pho is made from many different ingredients, with a variety of sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavors. Photo: Ninh Tito

The broth consists of pho sauce. Interestingly, Lang Son sour pho is not served with hot broth but with a thick brown sauce, with a full range of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors.

“This sauce is made from the fat extracted from the belly of a roast duck or duck broth, then seasoned with many spices such as onions, fried garlic, fish sauce, chili, vinegar, sugar, ginger... finally adding tapioca starch to thicken it,” said Ms. Lien.

Depending on the restaurant and location, people can serve additional broth with pho, which is water extracted from the belly of a roast duck or pure duck broth, ensuring the rich taste of fat and a characteristic aroma.

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When eating pho chua, diners mix all the ingredients together and enjoy. Photo: Ninh Tito

Ms. Lien said that Lang Son sour pho is usually served in a large, deep plate, accompanied by dozens of different ingredients.

When eating, diners mix the sauce with the ingredients like salad, can add a few slices of chili, spicy bamboo shoots or a little lemon juice to make the dish more fragrant and flavorful.

Mr. Dang Sang (in Hanoi ) has enjoyed sour pho in Lang Son city several times and commented that the dish is refreshing and suitable for cooling off in the summer.

However, the rice noodles are still blanched in warm water before mixing, so sour rice noodles are also popular in winter.

This dish even attracts customers to relieve boredom at the beginning of the year and after Tet.

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Each bowl of sour pho in Lang Son costs between 40,000 and 60,000 VND, depending on the ingredients and portion. Photo: Hien Ngoc

“Pho chua has a unique flavor, is easy to eat, and can be enjoyed by both children and the elderly. I have tried this pho in several other provinces, but nowhere is it as delicious and authentic as Lang Son.

Every time I come here, I eat 2-3 bowls, it's delicious and I don't feel bored," said Mr. Sang.

If you have the opportunity to visit Lang Son, visitors can find and enjoy sour pho at some reputable dining addresses in the city center such as: Phuong Thao sour pho restaurant (Bac Son street); Vi Tang roasted duck pho (Van Cao street); Thao Vien Lang Son restaurant (Phai Ve); Hai Xom roasted duck restaurant (Ba Trieu street); Lan Hong pho (Luong Van Tri street)...

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