Out of Star anise, one case
Star anise substitutes for pho
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Anise seeds
Same amount as the star anise
For pho, the best star anise substitutes are anise seeds, fennel seeds, or Chinese five-spice powder. Use 1:1 ratio for anise seeds and fennel seeds, or 1:1 for five-spice powder.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- similar taste, different texture
- Best for —
- pho broth
One casethe full star anise card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of star anise | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anise seedspho broth | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Fennel seedspho broth | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Chinese five-spice powderpho broth | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Clovespho broth | 2-3 whole cloves per 1 star aniseYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 5 | Cinnamonpho broth | 1 inch cinnamon stick per 1 star aniseYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 6 | Licorice rootpho broth | 1 inch licorice root per 1 star aniseTweak it | Tweak it |
Anise seeds
similar taste, different texture
Similar spice with very similar licorice flavor. Good substitute for star anise in pho broth.
- Best for
- pho broth, Vietnamese soups, when you want similar flavor, authentic pho taste
Different form but very similar flavor. Use in equal amounts. Good for when you want the same licorice taste as star anise in pho.
Fennel seeds
different taste, similar texture
Similar spice with licorice-like flavor. Milder than star anise but works well in pho broth.
- Best for
- pho broth, Vietnamese soups, when you want milder flavor, gentle pho taste
Milder flavor than star anise but similar licorice taste. Use in equal amounts. Good for when you want a gentler licorice flavor in pho.
Chinese five-spice powder
similar taste, different texture
Complex spice blend that includes star anise. Provides similar flavor with additional complexity to pho broth.
- Best for
- pho broth, Vietnamese soups, when you want complex flavor, rich pho taste
Contains star anise plus other spices. Use in equal amounts. Good for when you want complex flavor in pho broth.
Cloves
different taste and texture
Warm, aromatic spice with different but complementary flavor. Good for when you want warmth in pho.
- Best for
- pho broth, Vietnamese soups, when you want warmth, aromatic pho
Different flavor but adds warmth and complexity. Use 2-3 whole cloves per star anise. Good for adding warmth to pho broth.
Cinnamon
different taste and texture
Warm spice with sweet flavor. Different from star anise but adds warmth and sweetness to pho.
- Best for
- pho broth, Vietnamese soups, when you want sweetness, warm pho
Different flavor but adds warmth and sweetness. Use 1 inch cinnamon stick per star anise. Good for adding warmth and sweetness to pho.
Licorice root
similar taste, different texture
Natural licorice flavor. Very similar to star anise but in root form, good for pho broth.
- Best for
- pho broth, Vietnamese soups, when you want natural licorice, herbal pho
Very similar flavor to star anise. Use 1 inch of root per star anise. Good for herbal pho broth with natural licorice flavor.
How it behaves in this recipe
When making pho, star anise serves specific functions that require careful consideration. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality to star anise in pho applications, whether you're making beef pho, chicken pho, or other Vietnamese soups.
Tips for substituting star anise
8 tips- Star anise is essential for authentic pho broth flavor
- It's commonly used in pho broth along with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger
- Star anise has a strong, licorice-like flavor that pairs well with other pho spices
- Toast star anise briefly in a dry pan to enhance its flavor before adding to pho broth
- Remove star anise pods before serving pho as they're not meant to be eaten
- Store star anise in an airtight container away from light and heat
- Grind star anise pods in a spice grinder for ground star anise powder if needed
- Star anise works well in both beef and chicken pho broth
Notes on star anise
- Cardamom can provide complementary warm spice flavor in pho
- Coriander seeds can add citrusy notes to pho broth
- Black peppercorns can add heat and complexity to pho
- Ginger can add warmth and spice to pho broth
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for star anise in pho?
For pho, the best substitutes are anise seeds (for similar flavor), fennel seeds (for milder licorice taste), or Chinese five-spice powder (for complex flavor). Each provides different characteristics depending on your pho preferences.
Can I use anise seeds instead of star anise in pho?
Yes, anise seeds are an excellent substitute for star anise in pho. They have very similar licorice flavor and can be used in the same ratio in pho broth recipes.
How much fennel seed should I use to replace star anise in pho?
Use equal amounts of fennel seed for star anise in pho (1:1 ratio). However, fennel seed is milder than star anise, so you may want to use a bit more if you want stronger licorice flavor.
Can I use Chinese five-spice powder instead of star anise in pho?
Yes, Chinese five-spice powder is a good substitute for star anise in pho since it contains star anise as one of its ingredients. It provides similar flavor with additional complexity from other spices.
Why is star anise so important in pho?
Star anise is important in pho because it adds authentic licorice flavor and is a key ingredient in traditional pho broth. It provides the good balance of flavor and aroma that makes pho taste authentic.