Rinse the beef bones and beef under cold water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the bones for 5 minutes, then rinse them under cold water. This removes impurities and scum.
In a dry pan, char the onions and ginger with their skins on until they are browned. Then peel them and set aside.
In a large pot, bring 3 liters of water to a boil. Add the bones, beef, charred onions and ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves. Simmer over low heat for at least 2-3 hours, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
Meanwhile, soak the rice noodles in cold water for 20 minutes. Bring water to a boil and cook the noodles for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
Remove the bones and beef from the broth. Slice the beef into thin strips. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a clear broth. Season with fish sauce, salt, and sugar to taste.
In a deep bowl, place a portion of rice noodles, then top with thinly sliced beef. Ladle the hot broth over the beef to warm it through.
Serve with fresh green onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. For extra flavor, add chili or soy sauce.
To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.