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Vietnamese Dinner Featured

Vietnamese Bun Cha (Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles)

Classic Vietnamese Bun Cha recipe showcasing smoky charred pork, refreshing rice noodles, crisp salad greens, and a traditional dipping broth.

Medium 40 min prep 15 min cook 55 min total 4 servings 4.9/10
Ready in
55 minutes

Makes 4 servings

About This Recipe

Classic Vietnamese Bun Cha recipe showcasing smoky charred pork, refreshing rice noodles, crisp salad greens, and a traditional dipping broth.

A famous Hanoi street food featuring smoky grilled pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs.

Ratings

Expert Rating
4.9
95% confidence
Final Score
4.9
90% confidence

Category Scores

9.8
Taste
7.5
Difficulty
9.5
Presentation
8.0
Nutrition
9.0
Value
9.0
Instructions
9.5
Ingredients
8.5
Time Accuracy
9.0
Would Make Again
9.3
Overall

Cooking Timeline

Prep 40 min
Cook 15 min
  1. Step 1
  2. Step 2
  3. Step 3
  4. Step 4
  5. Step 5
  6. Step 6

Ingredients

Pork

Marinade

Noodles & Greens

Dipping Sauce

Equipment

  • Outdoor grill or grill pan For charring the pork
  • Mixing bowls For marinating
  • Large pot For boiling rice noodles

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine minced shallots, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar. Divide the marinade between the sliced pork shoulder and ground pork.

  2. 2

    Shape the ground pork into small patties. Let both pork preparations marinate for at least 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    Prepare the dipping sauce (Nước Chấm) by dissolving sugar in warm water, then stirring in fish sauce and lime juice. Add garlic and chili to taste.

  4. 4

    Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions, rinse with cold water, and drain well.

  5. 5

    Grill the pork slices and patties over medium-high heat until charred and fully cooked through.

  6. 6

    Serve the grilled pork alongside the noodles, fresh herbs, lettuce, and a bowl of warm dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories 480
Protein 28g
Carbs 54g
Fat 16g
Fiber 3g
Sugar 18g
Sodium 920g
Serving Size 1 serving

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An exceptionally aromatic and balanced Vietnamese classic bursting with smoky and fresh flavors.

Pros

  • Incredible smoky flavor
  • Fresh herb combination
  • Wonderful texture contrast

Cons

  • Requires multiple components to prep

Overview

A famous Hanoi street food featuring smoky grilled pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs.

AI Insights

Summary

Classic Vietnamese Bun Cha recipe showcasing smoky charred pork, refreshing rice noodles, crisp salad greens, and a traditional dipping broth.

Tips

  • Don't skip the char on the pork; it adds the signature smoky street-food flavor
  • Use plenty of fresh herbs like mint and perilla for authentic taste
  • Serve the dipping sauce warm for the best flavor balance

Substitutions

  • Pork shoulder → Chicken thighs
  • Fish sauce → Vegan fish sauce (for vegetarian adaptation)

Storage

Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Pairing

Vietnamese iced coffee Fresh spring rolls (Goi Cuon)

AI Cooking Assistant

Ask questions about this recipe — substitutions, timing, or technique.

Open Cooking Assistant

FAQ

Can I bake or pan-sear the pork instead of grilling?
Yes, you can cook them in a hot skillet with a little oil or bake them at 400°F until caramelized.
How do you eat Bun Cha?
Traditionally, you dip the noodles, grilled pork, and herbs directly into the bowl of warm sweet-savory sauce.

About the Author

FindEdition Kitchen

Recipe tested and reviewed by the FindEdition culinary team.

Specialty: Vietnamese cuisine

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