Pho – Best Hangover Cure?
Among many circles, the Vietnamese noodle soup Pho (pronounced Fuh) is heralded as the best hangover cure known to mankind. What do we say? Pho sizzles.
Pho is a magical soup made from beef, broth, and rice noodles. Seriously, it’s magic. I’ll explain it later. Served in a bowl with thin cuts of well-done or rare steak. For the more adventurous, tripe (stomach), tendons, liver, chicken hearts, or other risky business can be added. The broth is made from a simmering concoction of which only a level 50 Vietnamese mage can know the secret.
Pho is usually served with lime, bean sprouts, basil, and jalapeños. Sauces like sweet hoisin or spicy siracha can be added directly to the broth. This is where the fun comes in. The best thing about Pho is its “choose your own adventure” aspect. During the course of your soup journey, you can change the flavor of the broth, making it a dynamic experience.
So how did Pho come to be nominated as a contender for the best hangover cure? For one thing, it’s a great bowl of soup to keep you hydrated. Spices make you sweat out all the toxins and exfoliate the layer of evil that has permeated your skin. To add, the soup is comfort food. You drink soup when you’re sick, and I think you’d agree that you feel sick when you’re hungover. Finally, the main ingredient is magic.
No one really knows why Pho is so effective in combating the effects of a hangover. However, we know that hangovers are the result of black magic. Long ago, a renegade wizard placed a curse on a great king. The king was supposed to invite him to his birthday party, but he forgot. As revenge, the sorcerer placed a curse on those who drank at the party. The curse held through the centuries. Since we know that hangovers are black magic, we can only assume that Pho is made of white magic. Fight fire with fire!
I would like to personally thank the Vietnamese culture. The Vietnamese are no strangers to drinking. For centuries, they’ve turned this fine bowl of goodness into a masterpiece hangover helper. So thanks. Thank you for your important role in finding the best hangover cure.