Name: What To Serve With Pho
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 portion pho

Table of Contents

If you’re wondering what to serve with your pho, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 11 of the most popular side dishes for pho.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with pho include cucumber salad, gyoza, and garlic chili spicy edamame. For more traditional Veitnamese dishes, go for Vietnamese spring rolls, banh xeo, or a lotus stem salad. For something filling, I like scallion pancakes or Thai-style smashed potatoes.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Asian cucumber salad

Have some trouble pairing your pho? This is the salad for you.

This Asian cucumber salad is fresh, light, and bright.

Its zingy and acidic notes are just what you’ll need to cool your mouth down after digging into a steaming hot bowl of pho.

Mira’s Asian cucumber salad uses Persian cucumbers for maximum crunch and some sesame oil for a hint of nuttiness.

Fresh Vietnamese spring rolls

This is probably the most traditional side dish on our list (and my personal favorite).

No Vietnamese feast would be complete without it.

Vermicelli noodles, sweet shrimp, fresh lettuce, and herbs wrapped in soft and chewy rice paper.

And the addicting peanut dipping sauce ties the whole dish together.

You can even get the guests involved in making their own spring rolls so you don’t have to do all the work!

Lisa over at healthynibblesandbits has the perfect rolling tutorial.

Tip: if you’re on a budget, you can use crab sticks instead of shrimp for your spring rolls.

Garlic chili spicy edamame

Edamame are so fun to eat and you get them on the table in under 10 minutes, so they’re amazing when you’ve left everything to the last minute!

For a bit of a kick, try these chili coated edamame.

Although if you’ve already got a spicy pho broth, you might appreciate some milder flavored edamame (like with soy sauce, or some lemon juice)

You can use frozen edamame to make these garlic chili edamame. Noone will know the difference, I promise.

Want to try a different way of reheating the edamame? Check out my guide.

Lotus stem salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/14636767530865938/

Lotus stem salad or Goi Ngo Sen is a unique and vibrant salad straight from the streets of Vietnam.

It has pickled vegetables, sweet prawns, toasted peanuts, and fried shallots coated with a sweet and salty fish sauce dressing – now that’s tasty!

The acidity you get from the salad helps liven up the heart-warming pho broth and keeps things fresh.

Beyond sweet and savory suggests crumbling some prawn crackers onto the salad for that extra bit of texture.

Can’t get your hands on any lotus stem? Jicama is a good substitute.

Japanese gyoza

Your weekly pho cravings aren’t complete without ordering a side of Gyoza!

The toasted wrapper of the dumplings compliments the soft rice noodles of pho.

And the filling adds an umami kick to the dish. I’m not complaining.

If you’re not a fan of gyoza there are loads of other dumpling options to pick from.

Egg rolls or crab rangoon have a nice crunch. Or if you go for boiled dumpings you can serve them inside the pho.

The works of life have some tasty suggestions on the filling you can use for your gyoza, including a vegan version.

Scallion pancakes

Scallions are a common garnish to add some last-minute crunch, but these pancakes make them the star of the show.

This savory pancake is crisp and golden on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.

Served on the side with pho, these two make the perfect dynamic duo.

I always save my last bite of pancake to mop up the last of the pho broths.

Confused about what dipping sauce to choose? Oh, my food recipes have you covered.

Stir-fried bean sprouts

Bean sprouts are usually served raw on the side pho, but if you want something a little different try out this stir-fry recipe.

You only need 4 ingredients, and you probably already have them in your cupboard.

Head on over to Omnivores cookbook to try their version of the stir-fried dish.

Tip: bean sprouts contain a lot of moisture so you need to fry them on very high heat to ensure they maintain their crunch!

Banh Xeo

When you think of Vietnamese food you think of three things, pho, spring rolls, and Vietnamese pancakes (otherwise known as Banh Xeo).

Most people think these pancakes are made with eggs because they’re so yellow, but there’s no egg in sight!

The yellow color comes from turmeric.

You can customize the fillings but these banh xeo are stuffed with chicken, chopped raw veggies, and fresh herbs (yum!).

Wakame salad

Wakame salad is a low-carb, low-calorie side that’s packed with nutrients. It’s one of the best sources of iodine available.

Some people might turn their noses up at eating seaweed, but this dish will convert them.

It’s soft, not slimy, and the vinegar in the dressing adds a nice tartness.

Still here? Check out Izzyscooking for the full recipe.

Fried peanuts

Warning: these are VERY addictive.

Roasted peanuts are a popular bar snack, but I bet you’ve never tried fried peanuts.

This popular Chinese dish is super easy to make but packs a ton of flavor.

And the crunchy texture is a welcome treat after slurping down the pho soup.

For even more flavor, throw in some toasted garlic slices or fresh chili.

It may be bad for your breath, but it’s great for your soul.

China Sichuan food adds another secret ingredient to their peanuts (hint: it’s alcoholic).

Thai-style smashed potatoes

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1047861038272527888/

This is a take on the classic smashed potatoes with a Thai twist.

These crispy spuds are drenched in a lovely Thai yellow curry sauce that is just to die for.

Pho broth is warm and comforting, and these potatoes make sure no one will be left hungry.

You can switch it up with a red or green curry sauce, whichever one is your favorite.

You won’t recognize the humble potato after you’re done with Todd and Diane’s recipe!

Best side dishes to serve with pho

Asian cucumber salad
Fresh Vietnamese spring rolls
Garlic chili spicy edamame
Lotus stem salad
Japanese gyoza
Scallion pancakes
Stir-fried bean sprouts
Banh Xeo
Wakame salad
Fried peanuts
Thai-style smashed potatoes