Bún Chả

Bún Chả is a delicious and flavorful Vietnamese dish consisting of grilled pork served over vermicelli rice noodles and accompanied by fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a tangy dipping sauce called nước chấm. It’s a perfect combination of savory, sweet, sour, and umami flavors, with a wonderful mix of textures.

Here’s a recipe for Bún Chả that you can easily prepare at home:

Ingredients:

For the Pork:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground pork (for the patties)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar (preferably palm sugar)
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp five-spice powder (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 2 tbsp lemongrass, minced (optional but adds great aroma)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for grilling)

For the Noodles and Garnish:

  • 1 lb (450g) vermicelli rice noodles (bún)
  • Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil)
  • Shredded lettuce or thinly sliced cabbage (optional)
  • Fresh cucumber, julienned (optional)
  • Fried shallots or garlic (optional)
  • Chopped peanuts (optional)

For the Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm):

  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small chili pepper, finely chopped (optional for spice)
  • 1 tbsp grated carrot (optional, for color and texture)

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Pork Patties

  1. Mix the Pork: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, minced garlic, shallots, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, pepper, and five-spice powder. Add the minced lemongrass if using. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated.
  2. Shape the Patties: Using your hands, shape the pork mixture into small, round patties, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. You should end up with around 12-15 patties, depending on the size.
  3. Chill: Place the patties on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm them up before grilling. This helps them hold together better.

Step 2: Grill the Pork

  1. Grill the Pork Patties: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates or pan to prevent sticking. Grill the pork patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned and cooked through. Set aside.
  2. Rest the Pork: Once grilled, remove the pork patties from the grill and let them rest.

Step 3: Prepare the Noodles and Garnish

  1. Cook the Vermicelli Noodles: Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions (usually about 3-4 minutes in boiling water). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent the noodles from becoming sticky.
  2. Prepare the Garnishes: While the noodles cook, prepare your fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil) and any other garnishes you like, such as cucumber, lettuce, shredded cabbage, and fried shallots or garlic.

Step 4: Make the Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm)

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, water, sugar, vinegar (or lime juice), minced garlic, chili (if using), and grated carrot. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the balance of sweetness, sourness, and saltiness to your liking. You can add more sugar, vinegar, or fish sauce depending on your preference. The sauce should have a balance of salty, sweet, sour, and a little spicy.

Step 5: Assemble the Bún Chả

  1. Prepare Individual Bowls: In each serving bowl, place a portion of the vermicelli noodles.
  2. Add the Pork: Top with the grilled pork patties
  3. Garnish: Add fresh herbs, shredded lettuce or cabbage, cucumber, and any other garnishes you like. You can also sprinkle some fried shallots or garlic on top for crunch, and chopped peanuts for added texture.
  4. Serve with Nước Chấm: Serve the bún chả with the dipping sauce (nước chấm) on the side. Each person can drizzle the sauce over the dish or dip their pork and noodles into the sauce as they eat.

Serving Tips:

  • Dipping the Pork: In traditional Vietnamese style, you can dip the grilled pork into the nước chấm before eating, or pour some of the sauce over the noodles and toppings.
  • Add More Vegetables: You can add more vegetables like pickled carrots and daikon radish for extra crunch and tang, or even some fresh bean sprouts.
  • Adjust the Spice: If you like more heat, feel free to add extra chili or chili sauce to the dipping sauce.

Enjoy:

Bún Chả is best enjoyed fresh, as the combination of the grilled pork, fresh herbs, and tangy sauce creates an amazing burst of flavors with every bite. It’s a perfect dish for a summer meal or a Vietnamese-inspired dinner at home. Enjoy!

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