Essence of Lotus Instant Beef Stew Soup Mix — Ready-to-Eat Flavorful, Restaurant-Quality Pho broth, Made in the US (Beef Stew Soup Mix, 1-Pack)

This is an easy way to enjoy a wonderful Pho soup. I also ordered the chicken version Pho Ga. Each package is individually wrapped as are the noodles and spices after you open the packet. Empty into a bowl, add water to just above the contents and nuke for three minutes. Great taste and way better than most ramen dishes.

Don't be fooled by the name; it is just the brand name. There is zero "essence of lotus" in this broth. The main ingredient is salt, followed by MSG, sugar "beef type flavor," rendered beef fat, silicone dioxide, onion flavor, xanthan gum, caramel color, and "spice extractives." Yuck!!!

So other reviews says this was great and I have to say it is quite good. Don't get me wrong, this is not like restaurant quality Pho, but for use at home quick and easy it gets you in the ballpark. Tastes good. I would recommend augmenting it a bit with some fresh herbs, vegetables and perhaps some fish sauce and spice. It will do the trick.

If you like Pho you won’t be disappointed! This is as good as it gets, add the cilantro, beef, onions, bean sprouts, rice noodles, basil and hot sauce and you can’t tell that it didn’t come from a restaurant. Very easy and quick to prepare. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY!!! Will definitely buy again!!

Mild chicken flavor, very little pho spice, mostly salt. Will try pho spice mix only for next attempt at pho ga.

I think this is the tastiest insta-pho outside of Vietnam. nothing the home made but still better than many of the mixes i have tried.

Just received this today. Didn't know it was not returnable until I tried to send it right back. Sadly this is going straight into the garbage. There isn't a single thing that is healthy or natural in this stuff. 'Chicken broth' less than 2%! Tons of MSG, salt and many chemicals. Expensive mistake.

Very nice instant Pho, a bit 'thin' with the recommended dosage but very very yummy! Will buy more of that!