Bun Bowl Recipes

VIETNAMESE NOODLES WITH LEMONGRASS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine Chicken and Marinade ingredients and set aside for at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours. (Note 4)
• Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a fry pan over medium heat (or heat the BBQ). Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off large bits of lemongrass (small bits should fall off during cooking).
• Place chicken in the pan and cook each side until dark golden brown and chicken is just cooked through - about 6 to 8 minutes in total.
• Remove from pan, shaking off any remaining bits of visible lemongrass and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into thin pieces.
• Combine the Nuoc Cham ingredients and mix well to dissolve the sugar. Adjust to your taste (spiciness, lime, sweetness) and set aside for at least 20 minutes.
• Soak the vermicelli noodles in hot water for 3 minutes (or according to packet instructions), then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the noodles from sticking together.
• Individual servings: Place noodles in bowl. Top with vegetables and herbs, and sliced chicken pieces. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of Nuoc Cham Sauce (be generous, ~ 4 tbsp per serving) and serve with lime wedges.
• DIY (my preferred way): Place chicken, vegetables, herbs, noodles and sauce in separate bowls / piled on platters. Then let everyone make their own bowls!

BúN THịT NướNG RECIPE (VIETNAMESE GRILLED PORK & RICE NOODLES)

Steps:

• Slice the uncooked pork thinly, about 1/8". It helps to slightly freeze it beforehand.
• Mince garlic and shallots. Mix in a bowl with sugar, fish sauce, thick soy sauce, pepper, and oil until sugar dissolves.
• Marinate the meat for 1 hour, or overnight for better results.
• Bake the pork at 375 F for 10-15 minutes or until about 80% cooked. Finish cooking by broiling in the oven until a nice golden brown color develops, flipping the pieces midway. Don't take your eyes off the broiler!
• Assemble your bowl with veggies, noodles, and garnish. Many like to mix the whole bowl up and pour the fish sauce on top, but I like to make individual bites and sauce it slowly.

BUN BOWL

Steps:

• Place the unground portion of the pork shoulder in the freezer for 30 minutes so it is easier to cut thinly.
• In a large pot of boiling water, cook the vermicelli for 8 minutes, then rinse thoroughly in cold water. Take a handful of the noodles and set aside. Drain and place into 6 piles on a tray to dry out a little.
• Cut the reserved handful rice noodles with scissor tips into 1-inch lengths and place in a mixing bowl. Add the ground pork, shrimp, half the shallots, minced garlic, minced carrot, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar and freshly ground pepper and mix all together very well.
• Dip a rice paper into very hot water briefly and place on a cutting board to soften for 1 minute. Place 3 ounces of the shrimp and meat mixture into the middle of the rice paper to form a sausage shape 1 inch in diameter, then fold the ends in and roll into a tight roll. Set aside for later on a plastic wrap-lined sheet pan, making sure the rolls are not touching, or they will stick together. Continue with the remaining rice paper and filling to make 6 to 10 rolls. (These can be made in advance and frozen, then cooked from frozen.)
• Remove the pork shoulder from the freezer and cut as thinly as possible into 1/8-inch-thick pieces. Place on a quarter-sheet tray or large platter. Top with 3 tablespoons fish sauce and 3 tablespoons sugar and let marinate for 30 minutes.
• Combine the remaining 5 tablespoons fish sauce with 1 1/4 cups water, the lime juice, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, the Thai chiles, the remaining whole garlic clove and remaining diced shallots, then mix well and set aside until ready to serve.
• In 6 large individual bowls, arrange in equal portions the cold rice noodles, julienned cucumber, remaining carrot, scallion, mint, remaining cilantro leaves and romaine. Set aside the bowls until the rolls are fried and pork is grilled.
• To assemble: Place the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Fry the imperial rolls two to three at a time, making sure they don't touch, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. (If frying from frozen, they will take a little longer.)
• Place on a paper towel-lined tray to drain. Cut each roll into 4 pieces.
• Heat a grill to 400 degrees F or a broiler to high. Cook the pork until well caramelized on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Place equal portions of the grilled pork and an imperial roll on each noodle bowl. Remove the garlic clove from the sauce and pour about 2 ounces sauce into each bowl. Place the remaining sauce on the table and have the sriracha sauce available as well. Guests should mix the noodles and vegetables together with the sauce and add additional sauce as needed. Sprinkle on the fried shallots.