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Vietnamese bun cha with grilled pork, rice noodles, herbs, pickled vegetables, and nuoc cham.

Classic Vietnamese Bun Cha with Grilled Pork

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Hanoi-style grilled pork served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and nuoc cham.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Pickling and marinating time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Calories: 690
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 
 

Grilled Pork
  • 1 lb ground pork not too lean
  • 1 lb pork belly thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce divided
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar plus 2 teaspoons for the sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
Noodles, Pickles, and Sauce
  • 8 oz rice vermicelli cooked and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce for nuoc cham
  • 1/4 cup water warm
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 medium carrot cut into matchsticks
  • 1/2 cup daikon cut into matchsticks
  • 2 cups fresh herbs mint and cilantro
  • 2 cups leaf lettuce washed

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Grill pan or barbecue
  • Medium saucepan
  • Large bowl
  • Tongs

Method
 

Marinate and Pickle:
  1. Mix the ground pork with 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, lime juice, garlic, and black pepper. Shape into small patties.
  2. Toss the carrot and daikon with 1 tablespoon rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar. Let stand for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Whisk the remaining fish sauce, water, remaining vinegar, and 2 teaspoons sugar into a dipping sauce. Add sliced chili if desired.
Grill the Pork:
  1. Heat a grill pan or barbecue to high. Lightly oil the grates.
  2. Grill the patties and pork belly in batches until browned, lightly charred, and cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  3. Cook the rice vermicelli according to the package directions, then rinse under cool water and drain well.
Assemble:
  1. Divide the noodles, lettuce, herbs, and pickles among serving bowls.
  2. Add the grilled pork and serve with bowls of nuoc cham for dipping and spooning over the noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 690kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 39gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 1420mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12g

Notes

  • High heat creates the signature charred edges.
  • Keep noodles and herbs cool and separate until serving.
  • Fish sauce varies in saltiness, so adjust the dipping sauce to taste.