Pho bo: Vietnamese Noodle Soup with Beef

> For the pho

Preheat a cast-iron pan over a moderately high heat until very hot.

Rub the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper.

Sear the steak in the hot pan until colored all over, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.

Stir together the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sugar and rice wine vinegar in a small mixing bowl until the sugar has dissolved.

Heat the broth in a large saucepan set over a moderate heat until simmering.

Add the soy sauce mixture as well as the cumin seeds, coriander seeds and star anise.

Return to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan and return to a simmer.

Cut the seared steak into thin slices.

Once the broth is simmering, add the noodles, cooking them for 6-8 minutes until tender to the bite.

Add the steak to the broth about 2-3 minutes before they are ready.

Adjust broth to taste with more soy sauce and rice wine vinegar as desired.

> To garnish

Ladle into bowls.

Top with a pinch of ground cinnamon and some red pepper flakes.

Garnish with sliced kaffir lime leaves, sprigs of cilantro and mint, and some sliced red chili peppers.

Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.