Bún Chả: Grilled Vietnamese Pork with Noodles and Herbs

Bún Chả: Grilled Vietnamese Pork with Noodles and Herbs

Bún Chả is a quintessential Vietnamese dish that features a delightful combination of savory grilled pork, fresh rice noodles, crunchy vegetables, and fragrant herbs. Originating from Hanoi, it has captivated the taste buds of locals and travelers alike. The pork is traditionally marinated in a complex mixture of fish sauce, sugar, and spices, then grilled to perfection. Complementing the pork are delicate rice noodles and various fresh herbs like mint and cilantro, all brought together with a tangy, slightly sweet dipping sauce called nước chấm.

Ingredients:

For the Pork Marinade:
– 1 lb pork shoulder or pork belly, thinly sliced
– 2 tbsp fish sauce
– 2 tbsp sugar
– 1 tbsp honey
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 shallot, finely chopped
– 1 tsp ground black pepper

For the Noodles and Assembly:
– 10 oz rice vermicelli noodles
– Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil)
– Lettuce leaves, shredded
– 1 carrot, julienned
– 1 cucumber, julienned
– 3 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped

For the Nước Chấm (Dipping Sauce):
– 1/2 cup fish sauce
– 1/2 cup water
– 1/4 cup sugar
– 2 tbsp lime juice
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 red chili, sliced

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Pork:
– In a large bowl, combine the fish sauce, sugar, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped shallot, and ground black pepper.
– Add the thinly sliced pork to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for better flavor.

2. Prepare the Noodles:
– Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse them under cold water and drain well.

3. Grill the Pork:
– Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are nicely charred and cooked through.

4. Make the Nước Chấm (Dipping Sauce):
– In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, water, sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and sliced red chili. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the ingredients are well-incorporated.

5. Assemble the Dish:
– Divide the cooked rice noodles among serving bowls.
– Top with grilled pork slices, fresh herbs, shredded lettuce, julienned carrot, and cucumber.
– Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts over the top.

6. Serve and Enjoy:
– Serve the dish with the prepared nước chấm on the side. Each diner can pour the sauce over their bowl or use it as a dipping sauce for the grilled pork.

Enjoy this delightful Bún Chả, which brings the vibrant flavors of Vietnam to your table!