Go Back
–+ servings
Vietnamese Grilled Pork Meatballs And Noodles Recipe

Bún Chả Recipe (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Meatballs and Noodles)

Bún chả, or Vietnamese grilled pork meatballs and noodles, is a widely popular dish in Northern Vietnam. If you haven't had a chance to try this dish out, now is a perfect time!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Bún Chả, Bún Chả Hà Nội, Vietnamese Grilled Pork Meatballs and Noodles
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Dietary Preference: Dairy-Free, Gluten-free
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 36 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 1233kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Food processor
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Food Prep Gloves
  • Bamboo Skewers
  • Knife
  • Chopping Board
  • Sieve
  • Basting Brush
  • Oil Sprayer

Ingredients

Main ingredients

  • 10.5 ounces pork belly
  • 10.5 ounces ground pork
  • 4 lemongrass stalks
  • 0.5 ounces garlic
  • 0.5 ounces shallots
  • 2 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons soup powder
  • 2 teaspoons five-spice powder
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 4 teaspoons condensed milk
  • 4 teaspoons Vietnamese caramel sauce

For serving

  • 1.1 pounds vermicelli noodles
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 kohlrabi
  • 1 piece of green papaya
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 10 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2.5 ounces sugar
  • Dipping sauce: Fish sauce, minced garlic, chili pepper, sugar, and lime juice
  • Herbs and vegetables: Lettuce, fish mint, beefsteak plant, peppermint
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

  • Finely cut the lemongrass, shallots, and garlic. Then, blend them together with water using a food processor.
    Put on the food prep gloves and squeeze the lemongrass mixture over a sieve to extract the juice.
    Squeeze The Lemongrass Mixture Over Sieve
  • Slice the pork belly into bite-sized strips (avoid cutting it too thin).
    Season the meat with half of the lemongrass juice, pepper, salt, soup powder, five-spice powder, honey, condensed milk, and caramel sauce.
    Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
    Mix Well And Marinate
  • Season the ground pork with the remaining lemongrass juice and the exact same spices. Mix well and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
    Season The Ground Pork
  • Cut the carrot, kohlrabi, and green papaya into pieces, then slice them finely. Season them with sugar and salt. Marinate for 15 minutes to improve their crispness.
    Cut Carrot Kohlrabi And Green Papaya
  • Combine vinegar with sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then let it cool.
    Mixture To A Boil
  • After the ingredients have been well-marinated, preheat your oven to 400°F. Brush or spray a little cooking on the grilling tray to prevent the pork from sticking to it.
    Brush Or Spray A Little Cooking
  • Shape the marinated ground pork into flat, round meatballs. Press the pork using your palm to get it into the perfect shape. Repeat until you run out of ground meat.
    Once done, place the meatballs onto the grilling tray. Spray some oil on the meatballs.
    Shape The Marinated Ground Pork
  • Grill the meatballs for 12 minutes at 400°F.
    Grill The Meatballs
  • While waiting for the meatballs to cook, thread the pork pieces into the skewers.
    Pork Pieces Into The Skewers
  • Once you've finished cooking the meatballs, move on to grilling the pork.
    Finished Cooking The Meatballs
  • Spray a little oil on the pork's surface to prevent them from drying out. Then, grill them for 12 minutes at 400°F.
    Once done grilling, transfer the pork and meatballs to a clean pot and cover it with a lid or aluminum foil.
    Spray Little Oil On The Pork
  • Combine warm water with fish sauce and sugar. Stir well, then add garlic, chili pepper, and juice of 1 or ½ a lime. Do a taste test and adjust the spices to your liking.
  • Put on a pair of food prep gloves. Squeeze the pickled vegetables to remove the excess liquid. Then, pour the vinegar and sugar dressing over the veggies.
    Finish Making The Pickles
  • Place the pork skewers and meatballs on a plate next to the vermicelli noodles, pickled vegetables, and herbs.
    When serving, spoon the dipping sauce into a bowl together with the pork, meatballs, and pickles.
    Enjoy them with the noodles and herbs on the side.
    Enjoy Them With Noodles And Herbs

Video

Notes

  • The cooking time is based on 4 servings.
  • I've tested and adjusted the seasonings so that most people will find this dish enjoyable. However, feel free to switch up the amount used to suit your taste preference.
  • Honey is a must-have ingredient for the most authentic bún chả. That said, don't use too much honey, as it will make your meatballs and pork more prone to being burned.
  • If you have the time, try grilling the meat over charcoal to infuse them with a unique smoky taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 1233kcal | Carbohydrates: 150g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 2679mg | Potassium: 838mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 3329IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 4mg