1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
2 medium yellow onions, halved
1 2-inch piece of ginger, washed but unpeeled, cut in half lengthwise
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch segments
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon salt, or more to taste
1 tablespoon sugar, or more to taste
4 whole star anise
4 whole cloves
1 pound dried rice noodles (1/16-1/8-inch wide; sometimes labeled "banh pho" or "pad thai noodles")
1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola, vegetable, grapeseed)
8 ounces firm tofu
1/2 onion, sliced as thinly as possible
3 scallions, cut into thin rings
1/2 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
5 sprigs basil
1 pound bean sprouts
2 jalapeño chiles, sliced into thin rings (or any other chile you want)
1 lime, cut into 6 wedges