Easy and Flavorful Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Vermicelli Noodles and Nuoc Cham Sauce Recipe

Discover the vibrant flavors of Vietnam with this mouthwatering grilled pork dish. Tender slices of marinated pork shoulder are grilled to perfection and served over a bed of cool vermicelli noodles, crisp lettuce, and fresh mint. The star of the show is the nuoc cham sauce, a tangy and savory dressing that ties all the elements together for a truly unforgettable meal.

This recipe is perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want something light yet satisfying. The combination of warm, charred pork and cool, refreshing vegetables creates a delightful contrast that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Vietnamese cuisine or just venturing into new culinary territories, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 8 cloves of garlic, minced
• 5 tablespoons fish sauce
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 pounds pork shoulder

For the Dish:

• 1 package of rice vermicelli
• 1 head of butter lettuce, torn into small pieces
• 1 bunch of mint
• Olive oil

For the Nuoc Cham Sauce:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup fish sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced or julienned
• 1 to 2 teaspoons chili paste

Directions

1. Prepare the Pork

   Place the pork shoulder in the freezer for 45 to 60 minutes to firm it up slightly. This will make it easier to slice thinly. Once chilled, remove from the freezer and slice into thin pieces. Place the sliced pork in a large ziplock bag.

2. Marinate the Pork

   In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper to create the marinade. Pour this flavorful mixture over the pork in the ziplock bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and massage the marinade into the meat. Refrigerate for at least one hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the pork fully.

3. Prepare the Nuoc Cham Sauce

   While the pork is marinating, make the nuoc cham sauce. In a bowl, combine the sugar, lemon juice, fish sauce, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the minced garlic, sliced carrot, and chili paste to taste. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use. This sauce will provide a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors to complement the grilled pork.

4. Cook the Noodles

   Just before you’re ready to grill the pork, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the rice vermicelli noodles and cook according to package instructions, usually about 2 to 4 minutes, until they’re tender but still have a slight bite. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Set aside.

5. Grill the Pork

   Prepare your grill for high-heat cooking. If using a charcoal grill, light one chimney full of charcoal. Once the coals are covered with gray ash, spread them evenly over the charcoal grate. Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator and grill it immediately over the hot fire. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork is cooked through and has a beautiful char on both sides. Transfer the grilled pork to a clean plate.

6. Assemble and Serve

   To serve, divide the cooled vermicelli noodles among serving bowls or plates. Top with a generous portion of the grilled pork, torn butter lettuce, and fresh mint leaves. Drizzle the nuoc cham sauce over everything, allowing your guests to add more to taste. The combination of warm, savory pork, cool noodles, crisp vegetables, and tangy sauce creates a symphony of flavors and textures that epitomizes the best of Vietnamese cuisine.

Nutritional Facts

This Vietnamese Pork with Vermicelli Noodles and Nuoc Cham is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The tender, flavorful pork combined with the fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs creates a dish that’s both satisfying and refreshing. The nuoc cham sauce adds a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes that will tantalize your taste buds.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a summer barbecue or simply want to explore the delicious world of Vietnamese cuisine, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. The combination of textures and flavors makes each bite an adventure, and the relatively simple preparation means you can enjoy this restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home.

Remember, the key to this dish is in the balance of flavors and the quality of your ingredients. Don’t rush the marinating process – giving the pork time to absorb all those delicious flavors will make a world of difference in the final dish. And don’t be afraid to adjust the nuoc cham sauce to your liking; some prefer it sweeter, others more tangy or spicy.

So fire up your grill, gather your ingredients, and get ready to transport your taste buds to the streets of Vietnam. This Vietnamese Pork with Vermicelli Noodles and Nuoc Cham is more than just a meal – it’s a culinary journey you won’t soon forget!