This soup isn't exactly a pho, but the collection of rich savory flavors and fresh herbs definitely get my mind thinking "pho pho pho" when I eat it. If it were a true pho, it would have beef instead of mushrooms, and the noodles would be clear rice noodles instead of thick, chewy wheat noodles. Despite these obvious discrepencies, I shall persist in titling this recipe "Faux Pho". Personally, I think that for a vegan, this soup is just about the closest you are going to come to finding the satisfaction that lies buried inside a bowl of steaming hot Pho.

Know why? Because this shit is umami as hell.

The mushroom broth and fresh green herbs are the key to this recipe. Be sure not to skimp on either one. You can use boxed mushroom broth, but you'll be sorry if you substitute dried basil or scallions for fresh. There is something about their earthy aroma and crisp bite that would be sad to miss out on. Feel free to swap the noodles out for whatever is your favorite. Rice noodles would be the most authentic, but I think this recipe would be delicious using soba, ramen, or gluten free pasta too.

And yes, I know, it's hot as the devil's armpit outside and noone probably wants to eat noodles right now. But one of these days it's bound to rain, or get cloudy, or something, and you're gonna be thanking your lucky stars for the red hot comfort of noodle soup. It is known.