Vietnamese Pork Meatballs and Rice Noodles Recipe

Vietnamese Pork Meatballs and Rice Noodles

This dish, also known as Bun Cha, is a popular Vietnamese street food. Bun refers to the rice noodles and Cha to the pork. This version is dressed with nuoc cham dipping sauce for a combination of sweet, savory, salty and spicy flavors.

Serves: 4Prep: 25 minutesCook: 15 minutesTotal: 40 minutes

Share via Twitter

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 1⁄2 cup water
  • 5 tablespoons fish sauce, divided
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 tsp. sugar, divided
  • 1 small Thai chile or bird’s beak chile, slit or finely sliced, or ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons Simple Truth Organic™ Lemongrass, finely chopped
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 8 ounces thin rice noodles, prepared according to package instructions
  • 1⁄2 cup Simple Truth Organic™ Mint
  • 1⁄2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1⁄2 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 8 leaves red and/or green leaf lettuce

Directions

  • Combine water, 3 tablespoons fish sauce, lime juice, 2 tablespoons sugar, chile and ½ teaspoon garlic to make nuoc cham. Set aside.
  • In mixing bowl, combine pork, shallots, lemongrass, black pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic and 2 teaspoons sugar.
  • In pan over medium heat, heat oil. Cook meatballs 14-16 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Serve with rice noodles, herbs, lettuce and nuoc cham.
  • Refrigerate leftovers.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 1⁄2 cup water
  • 5 tablespoons fish sauce, divided
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 tsp. sugar, divided
  • 1 small Thai chile or bird’s beak chile, slit or finely sliced, or ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons Simple Truth Organic™ Lemongrass, finely chopped
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 8 ounces thin rice noodles, prepared according to package instructions
  • 1⁄2 cup Simple Truth Organic™ Mint
  • 1⁄2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1⁄2 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 8 leaves red and/or green leaf lettuce

Directions

  • Combine water, 3 tablespoons fish sauce, lime juice, 2 tablespoons sugar, chile and ½ teaspoon garlic to make nuoc cham. Set aside.
  • In mixing bowl, combine pork, shallots, lemongrass, black pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic and 2 teaspoons sugar.
  • In pan over medium heat, heat oil. Cook meatballs 14-16 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Serve with rice noodles, herbs, lettuce and nuoc cham.
  • Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition Information
Amount per serving
Sodium1470mg
Total Fat28g
Saturated Fat9g
Protein21g
Cholesterol80mg
Total Carbohydrate11g
Dietary Fiber0.5g
Sugars7g
Calories380