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I found this Chin-Su PhoStory Beef Flavored Pho at the Winter Fancy Food Show back in January – and I even got to meet the folks from Chin-su, which was pretty cool! This one’s all about that comforting pho experience, right in an instant pho bowl.
Produced in Vietnam.
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As soon as you open it up, that aromatic pho smell just hits you and totally transports you.
It has those dry imitation beef pieces that kind of work and add to the overall texture. The main flavor you get is a strong, salty pho, but it’s a good salty. Like a really well-seasoned broth you’d expect.
That comforting pho flavor is also boosted by this nice herbal taste, with those classic notes of Asian cinnamon and star anise really coming through. There’s also a little hint of that familiar MSG umami in there.
Even though there’s zero spice, this instant pho is definitely not boring. All those herbs and that salty broth make for a really satisfying bowl.
To make it even more like a proper pho experience, I’d totally throw in some fresh lime, crunchy bean sprouts, and fragrant cilantro. Thinly shaved beef or some tender meatballs would also be amazing additions.
Tasting Notes
- Spice Level: 0/5
- Broth Viscosity: 1/5
- Noodle Thickness: 2/5
- Noodle Type: Flat rice noodle (Classic pho vibes)
- Topping Suggestions: Fresh Lime, Bean Sprouts, Cilantro, Thinly Shaved Beef, Vietnamese Beef Meatballs
Have you tried this Chin-su instant pho? What did you think? Spill the noodles and leave a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions
For the spice level, my friend James, who taste tests the ramens with me, gives his rating out of 5 based on his experience with the heat. My own spice tolerance tends to be higher than most, so James’s rating gives a more general sense of the spiciness. Keep in mind that spice is still subjective, so what’s mild for him might be spicy for you, and vice versa!
That’s how thick or thin the broth is. A 1/5 would be very watery, while a 5/5 would be super thick and almost syrupy.
This is just a general gauge of how thick the noodles are compared to other instant ramen noodles I’ve tried. A 1/5 would be very thin, like vermicelli, and a 5/5 would be very thick and wide.
Here, I’m just describing the style or texture of the noodles, like “udon-like” for a chewy and thick noodle, or “thin and curly” for a more classic instant ramen style.
I haven’t tried this one yet, but it looks good!