Hủ Tiếu Bò Kho/Phở Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew Noodles)

Marinating the beef

1. Dice the beef into 4cm (1½ inch) cubes.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a small saucepan. Sauté garlic until it becomes fragrant. Add Bo Kho seasoning or a blend of five spice powder and Vietnamese curry powder. Stir-fry the seasonings with garlic until they release their aromatic flavors. This step is optional to enhance the taste of your Bo Kho.
3. Allow the seasoned mixture to cool down slightly, then use it to marinate the beef along with chicken powder, fish sauce, salt, annatto oil, and paprika powder.
4. Let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator, or for optimal flavor, marinate it overnight.

Preparing the vegetables

1. Trim the lemongrass into 10cm (4 inches) sticks, keeping the leafy tops aside for later. Gently pound the meaty stalks with a mallet to unlock their fragrance and flavor.
2. Thinly slice the ginger.
3. Dice the carrots into 2.5cm (1 inch) chunks and thinly slice the onions.

Cooking with Instant Pot

1. Press the "Saute" button on the Instant Pot and set it to high heat mode. Add 1 tbsp of cooking oil to the pot, then add star anise and cinnamon. Sauté until they become fragrant.
2. Add ginger, minced shallots, and lemongrass, and continue sauteing until their delightful aromas are released.
3. Add all the marinated beef to the pot, along with ketchup. Pan fry the beef until it achieves a desirable color and caramelization. If you have beef bones, you can add them at this stage. Pour in one liter of coconut water (or water) to the pot.
4. To season the stew, add ½ tsp of chicken powder, 1 tsp of salt, and 1-2 tbsp of sugar (if you're not using coconut water).
5. To reset the cooking program, press the "Cancel" button on the Instant Pot. Ensure the lid is securely locked, and then select the "Pressure Cook" setting at high pressure for a duration of 14 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally until the float valve drops.
6. After unlocking the lid, you may notice that the beef is still slightly chewy. Remove the star anise and cinnamon from the pot, and if needed, skim off any excess fat or scum. Then, add the carrots to the pot.
7. Reset the cooking program by pressing the "Cancel" button once more. Activate the "Saute" mode on high heat. Allow the stew to simmer until the beef and carrots have reached the desired level of tenderness (about 15 minutes). This method provides better control over the texture of the beef and vegetables.
8. Add the sliced onions to the stew and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. The cooked onions infuse the broth with sweetness and naturally thicken it (no need to use cornstarch slurry).
9. Adjust the seasoning of the stew by adding salt, chicken powder, and annatto oil for color enhancement. If the soup tastes too salty, you can dilute it with a small amount of water.
10. Prepare Hu Tieu noodles or Pho noodles by following the instructions on the package. Cook the noodles then drain and rinse with cold water.
11. To serve, place a portion of Hu Tieu noodles in a bowl and generously ladle the flavorful beef stew over the noodles.
12. Garnish with fresh Thai basil leaves and serve alongside lime wedges, mung bean sprouts, and sawtooth coriander. You also could enjoy Bo Kho with Vietnamese Baguette or toasted bread.

Cooking on Stovetop

1. Stir-fry the marinated beef with aromatics and adding coconut water.
2. Allow the stew to simmer on medium-low heat for 1-1.5 hour.
3. Then, add the carrots and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.
4. The rest of the steps are quite similar to the Instant Pot method.