Bun Cha (Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Noodles)

Author: Marthinus Strydom
Category: Pasta & Rice
Serves/Qty: 4.00
Heidi Strydom

A classic Hanoi-style Vietnamese dish of grilled pork patties and pork belly served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a tangy nuoc cham dipping sauce.

Marthinus Strydom

The Story

Bun Cha is a beloved Vietnamese dish that originates from the bustling streets of Hanoi, where it has been enjoyed for generations. This dish embodies the essence of Vietnamese culinary tradition, characterized by its harmonious balance of flavors and textures. Bun Cha gained international fame partly due to its appearance in a meal shared by former U.S. President Barack Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain in 2016, which spotlighted its cultural significance. Traditionally, Bun Cha consists of savory grilled pork patties and succulent pork belly, often marinated in a mixture of fish sauce, garlic, sugar, and pepper, giving it a distinctively rich taste. These are served alongside vermicelli rice noodles, fresh herbs like mint and cilantro, and a tangy nuoc cham dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime, sugar, and chili. The dish reflects the Vietnamese emphasis on fresh ingredients and the balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors, embodying the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam's northern region.

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Ingredients
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For Serving
400 g dried rice vermicelli
1 head butter lettuce
fresh herbs: mint, thai basil, cilantro, perilla
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
pickled carrots and daikon (optional)
green onions and fried shallots (optional)
For the Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
¼ cup (12 Teaspoons) fish sauce (for dipping sauce)
¼ cup (12 Teaspoons) sugar (for dipping sauce)
½ cup (24 Teaspoons) water
2 tbsp (6 Teaspoons) lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 thai chilies, finely sliced
1 small carrot or green papaya, julienned (optional)
Pork Patties
500 g ground pork
2 tbsp (6 Teaspoons) fish sauce
2 tbsp (6 Teaspoons) honey or sugar
1 tbsp (3 Teaspoons) minced shallots
1 tbsp (3 Teaspoons) minced garlic
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp (3 Teaspoons) caramel sauce (optional)
1 tbsp (3 Teaspoons) vegetable oil
Sliced Pork Belly
300 g pork belly, thinly sliced
1 tbsp (3 Teaspoons) fish sauce
1 tbsp (3 Teaspoons) honey or sugar
1 tsp minced shallots
1 tsp minced garlic
½ tsp ground black pepper

Method

  1. Combine ground pork, fish sauce, honey, shallots, garlic, pepper, caramel sauce, and oil. Mix well. Cover and marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
  2. Mix sliced pork belly with fish sauce, honey, shallots, garlic, and pepper. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
  3. Dissolve sugar in warm water. Add fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chilies. Add carrot or green papaya if using. Let sit 15+ minutes.
  4. Boil water, cook vermicelli 3–5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  5. Form pork patties (12–16 pieces). Grill patties and pork belly 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  6. Divide noodles into bowls. Serve with herbs, lettuce, cucumber, and pickles. Add grilled pork. Serve with dipping sauce.

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