6 Vietnamese soups make their mark on world rankings

Six Vietnamese soups, including various versions of pho, have earned spots in the top 100 soups in the world rankings by international food magazine TasteAtlas.

The rankings are based on verified user ratings, with 23,248 legitimate ratings from 39,784 recorded as of mid-September.

Ranked 29th, pho features a noodle soup made with slow-simmered chicken or beef broth, rice noodles, herbs, and tender beef. There are two main types: pho Bac from the north, with a delicate flavor, and pho Nam from the south, which includes more spices and toppings. Despite possible ties to French pot au feu - a beef stew with vegetables, pho remains a staple of Vietnamese cuisine.

Other variations of pho also made the global rankings. Beef pho, ranked 37th, offers a beef-forward flavor with different cuts of beef simmered in a broth infused with star anise, cloves, and cinnamon.

Another variation, Northern beef pho, takes the 86th spot and combines rare and well-done beef. The broth, made from beef bones, is poured over rice noodles and slices of beef to cook the meat when served.

Lastly, chicken pho, ranking 96th, features a lighter broth with chicken, herbs, and lime. It is believed to have originated in the 1930s when beef was unavailable on certain days in Vietnam.

Bun bo Hue, also known as spicy beef noodle, ranks 56th globally. Originating in Hue, its exact history is unclear, but it may have been influenced by imperial cuisine. The broth is made with beef and pork, and is flavored with lemongrass, fermented shrimp paste, and chili oil.

Canh chua ca, or sweet and sour fish soup, takes the 77th position in the global rankings. Made with a tamarind-based broth, they often include pineapple, tomatoes, okra, and bean sprouts. While usually made with catfish, other versions use carp, snakehead fish, eels, or salmon. The soups are typically garnished with cilantro and served with rice.

Topping the global list is the Paraguayan soup vori-vori, which is often filled with beef or chicken, cornmeal and cheese dumplings, and vegetables.

Malaysia has seven dishes featured in the list, followed by Indonesia's six, the Philippines with three and Thailand two.