| 2 | | (1-in) chunks fresh ginger |
| 3 | | Shallots; unpeeled |
| 1 | | Onion; unpeeled |
| 2 1/2 | qt | Water |
| 1 1/2 | lb | Oxtails chopped into sections |
| 1 | lb | Beef shank |
| 2 | | Whole star anise |
| 1 | | Cinnamon stick |
| 3 | | Whole cloves |
| 1/4 | c | Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam)- |
| 1 | ts | Salt; or to taste |
| 1/2 | lb | Flat rice-stick noodles soaked in water for 20 minutes |
| 6 | oz | Sirloin steak trimmed of fat & sliced into paper-thin slices |
| 1 | | Onion; sliced thin |
| 2 | c | Bean sprouts |
| 1/4 | c | Fresh coriander leaves (coarsely chopped) |
| 2 | | Green onions cut into 2-in-long thin julienne slices |
| 1 | | Lime; sliced into 8 wedges |
| 2 | | Red chiles; thinly sliced |
