What green onion garnish is typically served with northern pho?

Scallions are the green onion garnish typically served with northern pho.

Northern Vietnamese pho is traditionally presented with scallions, onions, and cilantro. The scallions may be sliced or blanched whole and placed in the bowl with the noodles and broth, adding a fresh allium flavor without overwhelming the soup’s clear, savory character.

This garnish reflects the restrained style often associated with Hanoi pho. Compared with southern pho, northern versions generally offer fewer piles of raw herbs and bean sprouts at the table. Southern servings more often come with a broad selection of herbs, bean sprouts, chili, lime, and sauces for diners to add themselves.

Scallions are also called green onions or spring onions in English, so those names can describe the same ingredient depending on regional usage. They are not the same as shallots, chives, or leeks: those plants have related flavors but different shapes, textures, and culinary roles. Cilantro is another common northern-pho garnish, but it is an herb rather than a green onion and is not the answer to this question.