Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork Noodle Bowl)

Bun thit nuong is the noodle bowl of summer afternoons, a cool tangle of rice vermicelli under sweet grilled pork, crisp vegetables, and a shower of peanuts. Every corner of the country knows it, and every cook has a favorite marinade. It is the dish that makes a hot day bearable and a hungry crowd happy. It is also the bowl that converts noodle skeptics, every single time. If you only make one noodle bowl this summer, make this one.

Cool noodles, charred pork, and a peanut crunch on top

The pork is marinated with lemongrass, fish sauce, and honey, then grilled until the edges caramelize and turn smoky. Toss it with cool vermicelli, shredded lettuce, cucumber, and pickled carrots, then pour nuoc cham over everything. A finish of crushed peanuts and scallion oil ties the bowl together, salty, sweet, and bright in every bite. The scallion oil is worth the tiny bit of effort — it turns the whole bowl silky. It is a complete meal that comes together without much fuss.

Craving more? Explore all Vietnamese Kitchen recipes.

This dish leans on the condiments covered in Beginner’s Guide to Asian Sauces & Seasonings.

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