Bún Chả: The Quintessential Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle
Embark on a culinary journey to Hanoi with this traditional Bún Chả recipe. Every mouthful promises the perfect balance of smoky grilled pork, delicate rice noodles, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful dipping sauce. This dish encapsulates the essence of Vietnamese cuisine; fresh, vibrant, and tantalizingly complex.
Ingredients:
- 500g pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 200g ground pork
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped shallots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce or dark soy sauce
- Rice vermicelli noodles (Bún), cooked according to package directions
- 1/2 cup fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/2 cup pickled carrots and daikon radish
- 1/2 cup lettuce leaves
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Chopped peanuts, for garnish
- For the dipping sauce (Nước chấm):
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 chili, sliced
- 1 tablespoon shredded carrot (optional)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the pork shoulder slices with 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, shallots, half of the minced garlic, pepper, and caramel sauce. In another bowl, mix the ground pork with the remaining fish sauce, sugar, and garlic. Let both marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Grill the pork shoulder slices and skewers of ground pork until cooked through and nicely charred. Rest the meat briefly after grilling.
- While the pork is grilling, prepare the dipping sauce by stirring together water, sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, garlic, chili, and carrot in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved.
- Arrange cooked rice vermicelli noodles in bowls. Add fresh herbs, sliced cucumber, pickled vegetables, and lettuce.
- Place the grilled pork on top of the noodle bowls. Serve with dipping sauce, lime wedges, and a sprinkling of chopped peanuts.
Pro Tip: For an authentic flavor, try grilling the pork over charcoal to impart a deep, smoky taste that defines classic Bún Chả.
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy your Bún Chả with additional garnishes like sliced chili peppers, garlic, and more herbs to taste. Pair this delightful bowl with an iced Vietnamese coffee to complete your meal.
Indulge in this classic Vietnamese street food right at home and let your taste buds celebrate the fresh, bold flavors of Bún Chả, a true delight for any lover of authentic Southeast Asian cuisine.