Bún Thịt Nướng is a popular Vietnamese dish that features grilled pork served over a bed of rice vermicelli noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs, all drizzled with a tangy and savory dipping sauce. This refreshing and flavorful dish is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. Follow this recipe to create an authentic Bún Thịt Nướng at home.
Ingredients:
For the Grilled Pork:
- 1 lb (450g) pork shoulder or pork belly, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced lemongrass
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Noodles and Salad:
- 8 oz (225g) rice vermicelli noodles
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 carrot, julienned
- Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil)
- Chopped peanuts (for garnish)
For the Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 Thai bird chilies, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions:
Preparing the Grilled Pork:
- Marinate the Pork:
- In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, honey, minced lemongrass, minced garlic, and vegetable oil. Add the sliced pork and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- Grill the Pork:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices until they are cooked through and slightly charred, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and set aside.
Preparing the Noodles and Salad:
- Cook the Noodles:
- Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Prepare the Fresh Ingredients:
- Wash and prepare the shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, julienned cucumber, julienned carrot, and fresh herbs. Set aside.
Making the Nuoc Cham Sauce:
- Combine Sauce Ingredients:
- In a bowl, mix the fish sauce, fresh lime juice, sugar, water, minced garlic, and sliced Thai bird chilies (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
Assembling the Bún Thịt Nướng:
- Arrange the Bowls:
- Divide the cooked rice vermicelli noodles among serving bowls. Top with shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, and fresh herbs.
- Add the Grilled Pork:
- Place the grilled pork slices on top of the noodles and vegetables.
- Garnish:
- Garnish with chopped peanuts.
- Drizzle with Sauce:
- Drizzle the Nuoc Cham dipping sauce over the bowl or serve it on the side for dipping.
Bún Thịt Nướng is a vibrant and refreshing Vietnamese dish that combines grilled pork with fresh vegetables, herbs, and rice noodles, all brought together with a tangy dipping sauce. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal, this dish is sure to impress. Enjoy the authentic taste of Vietnam with this delicious recipe. Chúc ngon miệng!