Authentic Bún Chả Hà Nội (Grilled Pork & Vermicelli Noodle Bowls)
Hanoi's most famous dish: smokey caramelized grilled pork patties and pork belly served in warm, sweet-tangy Nước Chấm dipping broth, accompanied by delicate rice vermicelli noodles and heaps of fresh Vietnamese herbs.
Ingredients
For the Grilled Pork Patties (Chả Viên) & Pork Slices
- 400g ground pork (pork mince)
- 300g pork belly or shoulder, thinly sliced
- 3 shallots, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2.5 tbsp fish sauce (nước mắm)
- 2 tbsp caramelized sugar syrup (nước màu) or dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Warm Nước Chấm Dipping Broth
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup premium fish sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice or rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic and 1 bird's eye chili, minced
- Thinly sliced green papaya or kohlrabi and carrots
For Serving
- 300g fine dry rice vermicelli noodles (bún), cooked and cooled
- Fresh herbs platter: Vietnamese mint, perilla leaves (tía tô), Thai basil, cilantro, and crispy butterhead lettuce
Instructions
Marinate Pork Slices and Meatballs
Mix minced shallots, garlic, fish sauce, caramelized sugar, oyster sauce, and pepper. Use half to marinate sliced pork belly, and mix the other half with ground pork. Shape ground pork into small round flat patties.
Char-Grill the Pork
Grill pork patties and pork belly slices over hot charcoal or in a smoking hot grill pan for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply caramelized with smoky charred edges.
Make the Warm Nước Chấm Dipping Broth
In a bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water, then stir in fish sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, chili, and sliced papaya and carrots. Keep slightly warm.
Assemble the Dipping Bowls
Place hot grilled pork patties and pork belly slices directly into individual bowls of warm Nước Chấm broth so the pork juices infuse the sauce.
Serve Street Style
Serve with a large platter of cooked rice vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs. To eat: dip a mouthful of noodles and fresh herbs into the warm pork broth and enjoy together.
Nutrition Facts
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.