Name: Vietnamese Meatballs and Noodles (Bún Chả)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: PT-485007H17M26S
Total time: PT-485007H17M26S
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: Ground pork (or ground beef) – 1 lb (450g); Garlic – 3 cloves, minced; Shallots – 2, finely chopped; Lemongrass – 2 stalks, minced (or 1 tsp lemongrass paste); Fish sauce – 3 tbsp; Soy sauce – 1 tbsp; Brown sugar – 1 tbsp; Rice noodles – 8 oz (225g); Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, Thai basil) – 1 cup of each, roughly chopped; Cucumber – 1, thinly sliced; Carrots – 2, shredded or julienned; Lettuce – 2 cups, shredded (e.g., romaine or butter lettuce); Lime – 1, juiced; Chili – 1, finely minced (or adjust to taste); For the dipping sauce:; Fish sauce – 3 tbsp; Brown sugar – 2 tbsp; Lime juice – 2 tbsp; Water – 4 tbsp; Chili – 1-2, minced (adjust for heat preference)

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I’m so excited to share this recipe with you—it’s one of my absolute favorites! If you’ve ever had the iconic Bún chả from Vietnam, then you know what a perfect balance of flavors it is. It’s a dish that brings together tender, flavorful meatballs, a bit of fresh herbs, and a deliciously tangy dipping sauce that brings everything together. It’s the ultimate Vietnamese comfort food, and I’m all about making it at home so you can enjoy it whenever you like!

Bún chả consists of grilled pork meatballs, served with noodles, fresh herbs, and a vibrant dipping sauce. It’s one of those dishes that’s so satisfying and fresh, you’ll find yourself craving it often. Let’s dive into how to make this incredibly delicious Vietnamese classic!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Full of flavor: The combination of savory meatballs, fresh herbs, and that zingy dipping sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors.
Fresh and healthy: With all those fresh veggies, herbs, and the light noodles, it’s a great meal that feels light yet filling.
Perfectly balanced: The mix of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in this dish will make your taste buds sing.
Easy to customize: You can tweak the recipe to suit your personal taste, adding more heat or sweetness as desired.

Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients below, but here’s a preview of what you’ll need for this incredible dish:

Ground pork (or ground beef if you prefer)
Garlic, shallots, and lemongrass for flavor
Fish sauce and soy sauce for umami
Brown sugar for a hint of sweetness
Rice noodles
Fresh herbs: cilantro, mint, and Thai basil
Cucumber, carrots, and lettuce for the fresh veggie toppings
Lime and chili for that citrusy zing and heat

Directions

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

Start by combining the ground pork, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a pinch of black pepper in a bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined. Then, shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-2 inches in diameter.

Step 2: Grill the Meatballs

Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium heat. Place the meatballs on the grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side until they’re cooked through and slightly charred. The grill gives them that smoky flavor that’s signature to Bún chả. If you’re using a grill pan indoors, just make sure to get the pan hot and lightly oil it to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Cook the Rice Noodles

While the meatballs are grilling, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and set them aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, water, and minced chili. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed—add more sugar for sweetness or more lime for tang. The dipping sauce should be a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and sour.

Step 5: Assemble the Dish

To serve, place a handful of noodles in a bowl, top with the grilled meatballs, and add fresh herbs, shredded lettuce, cucumber, and carrots on the side. Drizzle with the dipping sauce and give everything a good mix before eating.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Make the meatballs ahead of time: If you’re short on time, you can make the meatballs ahead and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, just grill them and assemble.
Adjust the dipping sauce to your liking: If you prefer a spicier sauce, add more chili or even a dash of sriracha to kick things up.
Use a non-stick pan: If you’re not grilling, a non-stick pan can help you get that nice caramelization on the meatballs without sticking.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Ground beef or chicken: If you’re not a fan of pork, you can easily swap in ground beef or even chicken for the meatballs.
Herb substitutions: If you can’t find Thai basil, regular basil works just fine, though it won’t have quite the same distinct flavor.
Gluten-free noodles: If you’re avoiding gluten, you can use gluten-free rice noodles, which will work perfectly with this dish.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Bún chả is typically served with a side of fresh vegetables like shredded carrots, cucumber, and lettuce to add crunch and freshness. It’s also often accompanied by a small bowl of dipping sauce, which is perfect for adding extra flavor with every bite. Pair it with a light white wine or a refreshing iced tea to balance the richness of the meatballs and noodles. For a full meal, you could add spring rolls or a simple Asian-style slaw on the side.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage: If you have leftovers, store the meatballs, noodles, and veggies separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the meatballs in a pan over medium heat. For the noodles, you can quickly heat them up in the microwave or toss them in a hot pan for a minute or two.

4 FAQs

Can I use a different protein for the meatballs?
Absolutely! Ground chicken or beef will work well as substitutes for the pork, giving you a slightly different flavor.
Can I make the dipping sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the dipping sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. It actually gets better as the flavors meld together!
What if I don’t have lemongrass?
If you can’t find lemongrass, you can use a little lemon zest or lime zest to get a similar citrusy flavor, though it won’t be exactly the same.
Can I serve this dish hot?
Traditionally, Bún chả is served at room temperature or slightly chilled, but if you prefer it hot, that’s totally fine too!

Conclusion

This Vietnamese Meatballs and Noodles (Bún chả) is the perfect dish to serve when you want something fresh, flavorful, and a little different. The smoky meatballs, light noodles, and vibrant dipping sauce are sure to satisfy all your cravings. Plus, it’s an incredibly fun dish to make and eat with friends or family. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it’ll become a new favorite in your rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

Step 2: Grill the Meatballs

Step 3: Cook the Rice Noodles

Step 4: Prepare the Dipping Sauce

Step 5: Assemble the Dish

Expert Tips and Tricks

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Storage and Reheating Tips

4 FAQs

Conclusion

Vietnamese Meatballs and Noodles (Bún Chả)

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition