Ramen and Pho have been a popular international meal for decades. Many people are passionate about the different flavors and textures these dishes offer. The debate over which one is superior has been a hot topic for years and it doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
There are endless variations of each dish and they are both prepared in a variety of different ways, making it hard to decide once and for all which one is better. To help give you a better understanding so you can decide for yourself which one is superior, let’s compare the two dishes side by side.
Ramen
• Broth: Ramen is known for its rich and flavorful broth, usually made with a combination of chicken, pork, or seafood.
• Noodles: Traditionally, ramen noodles are made with wheat flour, giving them a yellow color and firm texture.
• Toppings: Ramen often comes with a variety of toppings such as boiled eggs, seaweed, scallions, and bamboo shoots, which can be added according to your preference.
• Spiciness: Ramen can be served with varying degrees of spiciness depending on the type of broth and seasoning.
Pho
• Broth: The broth for pho is generally lighter and more subtle, made with either beef or chicken, onion, ginger, and other aromatic spices.
• Noodles: Pho noodles are made from rice, giving them a white color and softer texture.
• Toppings: Common toppings for pho include fresh herbs and sauces, such as hoisin and chili, which can be added according to your preference.
• Spiciness: Pho is generally not spicy, but chili sauce can be added for a kick of flavor.
Ramen VS Pho: preparation
Ramen starts off with boiling noodles that usually come in a package and after they are cooked, they are combined with a broth and other toppings. Pho, on the other hand, involves slowly simmering beef or chicken bones with aromatics and spices for hours to get a rich broth. The noodles in pho are also boiled separately before adding them to the broth.
As for taste and texture, there is a noticeable difference between the two dishes. Ramen is typically served in a more savory broth, which gives the noodles a more intense flavor. The noodles themselves are also thicker and chewier than those typically used for pho.
On the other hand, pho is typically served in a lighter, sweeter broth that gives the noodles a milder taste. The noodles used for pho are also much thinner and softer than those used for ramen.
When it comes to toppings, ramen and pho often have different options, depending on the type you order. Both of them usually come with a variety of meats, herbs, and vegetables, but pho often has a wider variety of meats and herbs. Ramen usually has the standard toppings of hard boiled eggs, seaweed, green onions, and so on.
As far as customization goes, ramen and pho offer different levels of flexibility. With ramen, you can choose your broth base and toppings, so you can customize it to fit your tastes. With pho, you can choose your noodles and toppings, but you can also choose your broth base and garnishes to customize the flavor even more.
Finally, let’s talk about the price and availability of these two dishes. Ramen is typically very affordable and widely available in most countries, especially Japan, where it originated. Pho, on the other hand, is traditionally more expensive and not as widely available.
Now that you know the differences between ramen and pho, it’s up to you to decide which one you prefer. Both of these dishes offer unique flavors and textures, so it all comes down to personal preference. Either way, you can’t go wrong. So, go ahead and give them a try. You won’t regret it 🙂
I have always loved cooking and discovering new flavors. My hobby gradually grew into a serious hobby and now I write about food professionally on my blog. For almost a year now, I’ve been sharing my thoughts with the world and helping many people find their perfect “recipe” 🙂