To char the onion and ginger, turn a gas stove or a grill to medium high heat and place the vegetables directly on the flame. Cook until the surface is slightly blackened all over. Alternatively, you can turn on the broiler (without preheating) and place the veggies on a lined baking tray. Cook right below the broiler for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Keep an eye on the veggies so they don’t burn.

Heat a large pot over medium low heat. Add the cinnamon, white peppercorns, star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds. Toast and stir for about 30 seconds, until you can smell a strong fragrance.

Add the vegetable stock, soy sauce, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, charred onion, and ginger to the pot. Cook over high heat until bringing to a boil. Turn to medium low heat. Simmer covered for 1 hour to 1 and half hours. Strain the broth and season with salt.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and cook rice noodles according to instructions on the package. Drain and rinse with running tap water.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cook the broccolini, 2 to 3 minutes per side, until it turns tender and lightly browned.

You can cook the mushrooms and the baby bok choy with the same pan-fry method. Or you can boil them in the broth after you strain the broth, 5 minutes for the mushrooms and 3 minutes for the baby bok choy.

To assemble the bowls, add noodles into each serving bowl and pour the broth over them. Top with broccolini, baby bok choy, mushrooms, tofu, bean sprouts, and herbs. Serve hot with lime wedges, Sriracha, and hoisin sauce on the side.