Chao Bo (Vietnamese Beef Rice Porridge)
Rice slowly cooked in beef broth until creamy, topped with tender beef, ginger and fresh herbs for a soothing bowl.
Made with Pho broth. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 10
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £5.16 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold water until the water runs almost clear.
- 2
Put the rice and your ready made pho broth (see the base recipe) in a large pan. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat low and cook for 45 minutes, stirring now and then, until the grains break down and it is thick like loose porridge.
45 min - 3
Add the ginger and fish sauce. Taste, and add a little hot water if it gets too thick.
- 4
Bring to a gentle bubble, then stir in the raw beef slices and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just cooked through.
1 min 30 s - 5
Ladle into bowls and top with spring onions, coriander, pepper and chilli.
- 6
Serve with lime wedges squeezed over.
Tips
- Stir often towards the end so the rice does not catch on the bottom of the pan.
- Slice the beef very thinly so it cooks in the hot porridge in a minute or two.
- Add a splash of water whenever it thickens too much. Chao should be loose and spoonable.
- For a richer bowl, fry a little garlic in oil and spoon it over the top.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat once until steaming hot all the way through, adding a splash of water. Do not freeze.
Questions
What is chao?
Chao is Vietnamese rice porridge, similar to congee, cooked in broth until creamy. It is eaten for breakfast or when you want something gentle and warming.
Can I cook the rice in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook on low for 6 hours with the broth, stirring once. Add the beef and ginger at the end and cook on high for 10 minutes.
Is it suitable for coeliacs?
Yes, when made with a gluten free fish sauce. The rice, beef and pho broth contain no gluten.
More made with pho broth
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.