Vietnamese Pork Rib Soup

Instructions

1. Prepare the pork ribs
   Rinse the pork ribs under cold water. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the ribs thoroughly under cold water to remove impurities. This step ensures a clear broth.
2. Char the aromatics
   Over an open flame or in a dry skillet, char the halved onion and sliced ginger until slightly blackened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. This adds a smoky depth to the broth.
3. Start the broth
   In a large pot, add the cleaned pork ribs, charred onion, ginger, lemongrass, and star anise. Pour in 8 cups of water or chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer the soup
   Cover partially and simmer for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, until the pork ribs are tender but still attached to the bone. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during cooking.
5. Season the broth
   Add fish sauce, salt, and rock sugar to the broth. If using bamboo shoots, add them now and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
6. Prepare garnishes
   While the soup is simmering, wash and roughly chop the Vietnamese herbs. Slice the green onions thinly and prepare lime wedges for serving.
7. Serve the soup
   Remove and discard the star anise, lemongrass, ginger, and onion. Ladle the hot soup with pork ribs into serving bowls. Garnish generously with fresh herbs and green onions.