Vietnamese noodle salad is a refreshing dish that embodies the flavors of Vietnamese food. With its combination of chilled rice vermicelli noodles, fresh vegetables, and flavorful protein such as grilled pork or crispy spring rolls, this dish offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will transport you to the bustling streets of Vietnam.
1. Vietnamese noodle salad with spring rolls
One of the highlights of Vietnamese noodle salad dishes is the addition of "cha gio," also known as Vietnamese spring rolls. These golden delights bring a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor to the dish.
This mouthwatering dish is easy to make:
- Start by cooking rice vermicelli noodles until tender.
- Next, prepare the spring rolls by combining ground pork, shrimp, vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
- Wrap the mixture in rice paper and fry until crispy.
- Assemble the noodle salad by placing a bed of noodles, fresh vegetables like lettuce and bean sprouts, and slices of the crispy spring rolls on a plate.
- Drizzle with the popular Vietnamese noodle salad dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar, and chili.
- Toss the ingredients together to combine the flavors and textures.
The delightful contrast between the crispy rolls and the tender noodles, along with a refreshing mix of vegetables and zesty dressing makes it one of the must-try dishes in Vietnam.
2. Vietnamese noodle salad with chicken
Vietnamese noodle salad with chicken is a delightful variation of this beloved dish. The highlights of this version include tender grilled chicken marinated in a fragrant blend of lemongrass, garlic, and soy sauce.
You can put this dish together effortlessly:
- Grill or pan-sear the chicken until it is cooked through.
- Thinly slice it and set it aside.
- Prepare rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions, and let them cool.
- Assemble the salad by layering the noodles with fresh crisp vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, and carrots.
- Top it off with the grilled chicken, and garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and basil.
- Drizzle the tangy dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar, and chili.
- Toss everything together, and serve.
This Vietnamese rice noodle salad with chicken is perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
>>> Check out more Vietnamese noodles dishes!
3. Vietnamese noodle salad with beef (Bun bo Nam Bo)
Vietnamese beef noodle salad is also called “bun bo Nam bo”, signifying its southern origin. It is a delicious combination of textures and tastes, capturing the essence of Vietnamese cuisine.
- Stir-fry thinly sliced beef with garlic, soy sauce, and sugar until it is caramelized and flavorful.
- Serve the beef atop a bed of chilled rice vermicelli noodles, accompanied by a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, and carrots.
- Add the tangy fish sauce dressing made with lime juice and chili or serve as a dipping sauce.
This delightful variation features succulent stir-fried beef as the protein of choice. This version adds a savory and tender element to the refreshing dish.
4. Vietnamese noodle salad with grilled pork (Bun thit nuong)
One of the most popular dishes of Vietnamese cuisine is bun thit nuong. This is a flavorful combination of noodle salad with grilled pork. This dish is frequently compared with bun cha since they share most of the ingredients.
- Tender rice vermicelli noodles serve as a bed for succulent and marinated grilled pork.
- Marinate the meat with soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and lemongrass.
- Grille on top of a charcoal grill for the flavorsome edges.
- The noodles are then adorned with fresh vegetables like lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, and carrots.
- Drizzle the tangy fish sauce dressing to complete the dish.
You can find loads of options for pork. It can be thinly sliced pork, patties, or fried spring rolls.
>>> Check out more tasty Vietnamese salad options!
5. Vietnamese noodle salad for vegans
For vegans, there is a delicious and satisfying option packed with vibrant flavors. The highlights of this vegan version focus on the freshness of the vegetables and other underrated proteins like mushrooms and tofu.
This vegan variation arguably has the easiest recipe, since you may make a cold Vietnamese noodle salad:
- Cook and cool the rice vermicelli noodles.
- Prepare the vegetables and herbs and place them on top of the rice noodles.
- Marinate and grill the tofu or tempeh if you want to add protein.
- Toss everything together with a different Vietnamese noodle salad sauce made from soy sauce, lime, garlic, chili, etc.
The result is a vibrant, vegan-friendly noodle salad that is both refreshing and satisfying.
Vietnamese cuisine is a treasure trove of delectable dishes that showcase the country's diverse flavors and culinary traditions. Aside from Vietnamese noodle salads, you can explore other delicious dishes during your trip here.
Some notable Vietnamese dishes include bun dau mam tom, Vietnamese broken rice, Vietnamese bread, Vietnamese fish cake, Vietnamese sticky rice, Vietnamese summer rolls, Vietnamese fried rice, etc. Make your food bucket list in advance or go where the streets take you.
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Vietnamese noodle salad is a delightful culinary creation that captivates with its vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and harmonious flavors. Whether enjoyed as a traditional version with grilled pork or as a vegan adaptation with tofu, this dish embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. The refreshing rice vermicelli noodles, crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and tangy dressing offer a tantalizing combination of textures and tastes. It is a true celebration of the country's culinary heritage and a delightful dish that is both satisfying and refreshing.
