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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Bún thịt nướng (grilled pork vermicelli bowl)

Bún thịt nướng is a Vietnamese bowl of cold rice vermicelli topped with grilled marinated pork, fresh vegetables, herbs and peanuts, finished with a sweet and tangy fish sauce dressing. This recipe serves 4, takes 45 minutes, is easy to make and costs €3.20 per person. The key to success is the contrast between the hot grilled pork and the cold vermicelli underneath.

Tonight, a big fresh and generous bowl of cold vermicelli with grilled marinated pork, herbs, peanuts and a sweet and tangy sauce.

Bún thịt nướng (grilled pork vermicelli bowl)
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Bún thịt nướng plays on contrast, cold soft vermicelli under still warm grilled pork, crisp fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts, all brought together by a dressing that balances sweet, salty and tangy. Lemongrass and garlic season the pork without weighing it down, and every bite changes slightly depending on what you scoop up from the bowl.

It's a great dish for a spring or summer evening, when you don't want to spend hours at the stove but still want a meal with real character. Kids usually enjoy building their own bowl, and Mon Chou designed this recipe to stay simple even on a busy weeknight.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Pork shoulder 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemongrass 2 stalks
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Lime 2
  • Lettuce 1
  • Cucumber 1
  • Carrots 2
  • Mint 1 bunch

Pantry

  • Fish sauceoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Rice vermicellioften in the pantry 300 g
  • Roasted peanutsoften in the pantry 60 g

Allergens Peanuts, Fish, Soy, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Slice the pork thinly and mix it with chopped lemongrass, garlic, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar and pepper. 20 min

    Chop the lemongrass very finely, it's fibrous.

  2. Make the sauce with the remaining fish sauce and sugar, lime juice, water and a little garlic.

    Adjust it to taste, add more lime if it's too sweet.

  3. Cook the vermicelli, rinse it under cold water and let it cool. 5 min

    After rinsing, shape a small nest in each bowl.

  4. Grate the carrots, cut the cucumber into sticks, and shred the lettuce and mint.

    Keep the herbs whole, they're part of the presentation.

  5. Grill the pork over high heat in a pan or on a grill, top the bowls and pour over the sauce with the crushed peanuts. 8 min

    Place the hot pork on the cold vermicelli, the contrast is fantastic.

Our tips to get it right

  • Marinate the pork for at least 20 minutes before grilling, that's the minimum for the lemongrass and garlic to really flavor the meat.
  • Drain the vermicelli well and let it cool completely before building the bowls, otherwise the noodles will stick together.
  • Make the sauce ahead and taste it before serving, getting the sweet and tangy balance right makes all the difference.

The variations

  • Swap the pork for thinly sliced chicken marinated the same way, for a dish that's just as tasty with a quicker cook time.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the pork with firm tofu, marinated and grilled, and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce in both the marinade and the dressing.
  • To make it faster for kids, serve all the components separately in small bowls so everyone can build their own bún.

What to serve it with

  • Crispy fried spring rolls
  • Iced green tea
  • Crunchy shrimp chips

Storage

Keep the grilled pork and the vermicelli separately in the refrigerator in a sealed container, for up to 2 days. The sauce also keeps for 2 to 3 days chilled. Reheat only the pork in a pan, and assemble the bowl with the vermicelli and herbs still cold.

Questions about this dish

Can you make bún thịt nướng ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the pork the night before and make the sauce in advance, both actually taste better with time. Prepare the vermicelli and fresh vegetables just before serving so they stay fresh.

Can you replace the lemongrass if you can't find any?

You can use lime zest instead, the flavor will be different but still pleasant. Lemongrass remains the best choice for an authentic taste.

Does the grilled pork freeze well?

Yes, you can freeze the pork either raw and marinated or already grilled for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating or cooking it.

How do you adapt this dish for young kids?

Serve the sauce on the side so everyone can add as much as they like, and cut the pork into small, easy to eat pieces. You can also skip or reduce any chili if you add some.

How long does it take to make a bún thịt nướng?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a bún thịt nướng?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a bún thịt nướng cost?

About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains peanuts, fish, soy, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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