Bún Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle Bowl)
Local name: Bún thịt nướng
In short: Lemongrass-marinated grilled pork over cold rice vermicelli with lettuce, herbs, pickles and crushed peanuts, dressed with sweet and sour fish sauce. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 700 kcal
Bún thịt nướng is the dry noodle bowl of southern Vietnam, built in layers: lettuce and herbs at the bottom, cool rice vermicelli, pickles and cucumber, then smoky lemongrass pork on top with peanuts and fried shallots. You pour sweet and sour nước chấm over everything and mix it up. It is an easy way to feed a crowd, since the pork can marinate overnight and every other part is served cold or at room temperature.
Instructions
- Mix the lemongrass, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, oil and pepper. Add the pork slices and turn to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight in the fridge.
- Cook the vermicelli in boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, or as the package directs. Rinse under cold water, drain well and set aside.
- Heat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high. Cook the pork for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until charred at the edges and cooked through, at least 63°C (145°F).
- Divide the lettuce and herbs among 4 deep bowls. Add the noodles, cucumber and pickles.
- Top with the hot pork and sprinkle with peanuts and fried shallots. Serve with the nước chấm to spoon over, and mix everything before eating.
Tips
- No grill? Cook the slices in a very hot cast-iron pan in a single layer, working in batches so they brown instead of steaming. A broiler works too.
- For the classic version, add a sliced fried spring roll (chả giò) to each bowl. Grilled shrimp or chicken thighs can replace the pork.
Questions and answers
Can I make bún thịt nướng ahead of time?
Marinate the pork up to 24 hours ahead, and prepare the noodles, vegetables and sauce earlier in the day. Grill the pork just before serving so it is hot.
How is it different from bún chả?
Bún thịt nướng is a dry bowl with sauce spooned over it, popular in the south. Bún chả, from Hanoi, serves the grilled pork in a bowl of warm broth for dipping.
What can I use instead of oyster sauce?
Add an extra teaspoon of fish sauce and a pinch of sugar, or use a vegetarian mushroom sauce. The pork will still taste good.
How long does it take to make Bún Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle Bowl)?
About 55 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bún Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle Bowl)?
About 700 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 80 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 700 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 80 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 1600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
