for the broth
2 medium yellow onions (about 450g)
10 cm piece ginger (about 110g)
2.5 kg beef bones (marrow and knuckle bones)
5 whole star anise
6 whole cloves
7.5 cm cinnamon stick
450 g beef chuck, rump, brisket or cross rib roast (cut into chunks)
1 1/2 tbsp salt
4 tbsp fish sauce
30 g yellow rock sugar
bowls for the
680-900 g dried or fresh banh pho noodles
450 g raw eye of round, sirloin, London broil or tri-tip steak (thinly sliced across the grain)
1 medium yellow onion (thinly sliced)
3-4 scallions (cut into thin rings)
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Ground black pepper
optional garnishes
Sprigs hung lui (spearmint) and hung que (Thai basil)
Leaves ngo ga (thorny cilantro)
Bean sprouts (about 450g)
Red hot chilis (Thai bird or dragon), thinly sliced
Lime wedges