Bún mọc (Vietnamese pork ball vermicelli soup) is a mouth-watering delicacy from Vietnamese cuisine that is also popular in other Asian countries. It includes meatballs, pork ribs, different types of Vietnamese sausage, fresh vegetables, and a flavorsome broth.
Since this noodle soup is easy to make, you can have it any day of the week. It also makes an excellent choice for family gatherings where you need a tasty dish to serve many people.
Try this recipe today; I’m sure it’ll soon be your new favorite soup!
Discover the Essence of Bún Mọc
In Vietnam, the locals call a meatball made from pork paste and spices “mọc”. “Bún mọc” is the result of combining vermicelli noodles with Vietnamese pork balls. The dish originated in the Northern part of Vietnam, but it’s now popular nationwide.
Besides noodles and pork balls, you’ll also find Vietnamese pork sausage (chả lụa), cinnamon pork pate (chả quế), and plenty of fresh veggies in a serving of bún mọc.
Everything blends together and forms a refreshing yet filling noodle soup that’s extremely hard to resist.
What Tools Simplify Bún Mọc Preparation?
First of all, make sure that you have all the necessary kitchenware to make this recipe. They’re all basic cooking tools that I believe you’ve already owned.
What Are the Main Components of Bún Mọc?
On to the ingredients of bún mọc recipe! Since you’ll need giò lụa and chả quế to make an authentic bowl of bún mọc, I suggest taking a trip to the nearest Asian store.
How to Cook Bún Mọc Like a Pro?
Now that you’ve got all the required tools and ingredients, let’s start making this yummy noodle soup right away!
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Soak the wood ear mushrooms for 20 to 30 minutes in advance. Wash the vegetables and pork ribs thoroughly.
Slice the cinnamon pork pate and Vietnamese pork sausage into bite-sized pieces.
Finely chop the scallions and cilantro while keeping the cilantro roots for cooking the pork bone broth.
Mince the shallots, half an onion, and 0.35 ounces of wood ear mushrooms.
Step 2: Marinate The Pork Ribs
Season the pork ribs with:
Mix well and marinate the meat for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Pork Ball
Since the pork paste has already been lightly seasoned, you don’t need to add any more spices. Mix the pork paste with the wood ear mushrooms and minced onion.
Once well combined, form the mixture into small, bite-sized balls. Feel free to adjust the size of the balls to your liking.
Step 4: Stir Fry the Pork Ribs
Add oil to a heated pan and add the marinated ribs. Stir fry the pork for 5 minutes over medium heat. This step gives the meat a firmer texture and better flavor.
Step 5: Cook the Broth
Pour the pork bone broth into a pot and add the pork ribs, leek, cilantro roots, and the remaining onion. Cook the broth on low heat for 30 minutes and skim it frequently to ensure a clear broth.
After 30 minutes, remove all the vegetables and leave only the pork ribs inside the broth pot. Then, add in the pork balls and cook them on low heat for 10 minutes. Don’t forget to keep on skimming the broth.
Season the broth with:
Give your broth a taste test and add more spices if necessary.
Step 6: Blanch the Noodles
Blanch the vermicelli noodles in boiled water and add a little cooking oil for 20 to 30 seconds. The oil prevents the noodles from sticking together.
Step 7: Present the Dish
Place some bean sprouts and fresh vegetables in a bowl, then add the noodles. Put the Vietnamese pork sausage and cinnamon pork pate over the noodles. Fill the bowl with enough broth to cover the noodles, and add the pork balls and pork ribs.
Finish the dish with some scallions, cilantro, fried shallots, and ground pepper on top. Enjoy while it’s still warm for the best flavor!
Additional Tips For The Best Bún Mọc
Check out the following tips to enhance your bún mọc and enjoy this Vietnamese delicacy to the fullest.
Enjoy Bún Mọc to the Fullest
Bún mọc is the best dish for meatball fans who want to try something new. Better yet, you can enjoy this dish any time of the day. When served as a breakfast, it’s a refreshing noodle soup that’s filling enough to keep you from getting hungry midday.
What are your thoughts on bún mọc? Are you going to make this recipe for your loved ones soon? I’d love to read your answers in the comment section. Lastly, please share and like this Vietnamese recipe with other people. Thank you so much, and have a great cooking time!
Bún Mọc Recipe (Vietnamese Pork Ball Vermicelli Soup)
Equipment
- Pot
- Pan
- Tongs
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 3.5 quarts of pork bone broth
- 1.1 pounds of pork ribs
- 0.66 pounds of pork paste
- 0.44 pounds of Vietnamese pork sausage
- 0.44 pounds of cinnamon pork pate
- 1.1 pounds of vermicelli noodles
- 1.8 ounces of fried shallots
- 0.35 ounces wood ear mushrooms
- 1 shallot
- 1 onion
- Other vegetables: lettuce, bean sprouts, leek, cilantro, scallions, lime, chili
Spices:
- 1 ounce of rock sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 5 teaspoons soup powder
Instructions
- Soak the wood ear mushrooms for 20 to 30 minutes in advance. Wash the vegetables and pork ribs thoroughly. Slice the cinnamon pork pate and Vietnamese pork sausage into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the scallions and cilantro while keeping the cilantro roots. Mince the shallots, half an onion, and wood ear mushrooms.
- Season the pork ribs with soup powder, pepper, brown sugar, fish sauce, and minced shallots. Mix well and marinate the meat for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Mix the pork paste with the wood ear mushrooms and minced onion. Form the mixture into small, bite-sized balls.
- Add oil to a heated pan and add the marinated ribs. Stir fry the pork for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Pour the pork bone broth into a pot and add the pork ribs, leek, cilantro roots, and the remaining onion. Cook the broth on low heat for 30 minutes and skim it frequently
- After 30 minutes, remove all the vegetables and leave only the pork ribs inside the broth pot. Add in the pork balls and cook them on low heat for 10 minutes.
- Season the broth with rock sugar, soup powder, and salt. Give your broth a taste test and add more spices if necessary.
- Blanch the vermicelli noodles in boiled water added with a little cooking oil for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Place some bean sprouts and fresh vegetables in a bowl, then add the noodles. Put the Vietnamese pork sausage and cinnamon pork pate over the noodles. Fill the bowl with enough broth to cover the noodles, and add the pork balls and pork ribs. Finish the dish with some scallions, cilantro, fried shallots, and ground pepper on top. Enjoy while it's still warm!
Video
Notes
- The total time is for making 5 servings.
- Make a dipping sauce for the meat using fish sauce and sliced chili.
- Add sate sauce and chili peppers if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Some Vietnamese will add a little shrimp paste to their bún mọc, so feel free to try doing the same.
- In addition to pork, you can also try making meatballs with ground turkey or chicken.
- The added fresh vegetables are completely customizable. You can add any veggies that you want.
Nutrition
Richie
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Food Styling, Food Photography, Cooking-video Maker, Beverage Evaluation Expert
Education
Saigon Culinary Arts Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam Australia Vocational School (VAAC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Richie, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a dynamic Content Writer with a talent for capturing the essence of culinary art.
Richie specializes in creating visually appealing and tasty content, offering a new angle on Vietnamese and other culinary traditions. With a background in graphic design and a love for food styling and photography, he expertly combines beauty with food narratives, encouraging his audience to discover the culinary world through his imaginative perspective.