Vegetarian Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, peeled and halved
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and halved lengthwise
• 3-inch cinnamon stick, preferably vietnamese cassia-cinnamon
• 1 star anise
• 2 cloves
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 4 cups unsalted vegetable stock
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 4 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
• protein such as fried or baked tofu, bean curd skin, or seitan
• mushrooms
• vegetables such as bok choy, napa cabbage, or broccoli
• 1/2 onion, very thinly sliced
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 chile pepper (thai bird, serrano, or jalapeño), sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts
• hoisin sauce, sriracha (optional)