Bun Cha (Vietnamese Meatballs!)
This is an easy Vietnamese recipe that anyone can make that’s fresh and full of flavour. Load it up with your vegetables of choice!
Author: Recipetineats/Photo credit to recipetineats.com
Ingredients
- MEATBALLS:
- ▢250 - 300 g/8 - 10 oz pork mince (ground pork)(Note 1)
- ▢1 tbsp fish sauce (Note 2)
- ▢2 tsp white sugar
- ▢1/3 cup finely chopped green onions / scallions
- ▢1 clove garlic , minced
- ▢Pinch of white pepper and salt
- ▢2 tsp lemongrass paste or fresh finely chopped , optional (Note 4)
- ▢1.5 tbsp oil , for cooking
- NUOC CHAM (VIETNAMESE DRESSING / SAUCE - NOTE 2):
- ▢3 tbsp white sugar
- ▢3 tbsp fish sauce (Note 2)
- ▢2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- ▢2 tbsp lime juice
- ▢1/3 cup (85 ml) water
- ▢1 birds eye chilli , seeded and finely chopped (Note 3)
- ▢3 cloves garlic , finely chopped
- SERVING (NOTE 4):
- ▢100 g / 3.5 oz vermicelli noodles , dried
- ▢Big handful beansprouts
- ▢Few lettuce leaves , folded or shredded
- ▢Julienned carrot and white radish (daikon), optional quick pickle (Note 5)
- ▢Handful of coriander/cilantro sprigs , mint
- ▢Sliced red chilli , lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Sauce: Mix ingredients. Set aside 10 minutes+.
- Noodles: Pour over boiling water and soak per packet directions. Drain, set aside.
- MEATBALLS:
- Mix all ingredients except oil until combined.
- Shape into 6 mini hamburger patties with your hands.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add patties and cook for 2½ minutes or until golden. Flip, cook 2 minutes then remove.
- ASSEMBLE BOWLS:
- Place noodles in bowl. Top with a handful of beansprouts, wedge in lettuce, carrots and radish in.
- Place meatballs on top, top with coriander and mint.
- Spoon over a generous amount of Sauce (it's supposed to be like a soup broth), eat and be happy!
