Vietnamese Pork Noodle Bowls

Unlock the secret to unbelievably flavorful Vietnamese Pork Noodle Bowls with a marinade so good, you'll crave it forever.

savory vietnamese noodle dish

Craving an explosion of flavor in a bowl?

Get ready to unlock the secrets to creating Vietnamese Pork Noodle Bowls that will transport your taste buds straight to Southeast Asia.

From perfectly marinated pork to a symphony of fresh ingredients, prepare to master this dish and become a noodle bowl pro.

Preparing the Pork

cooking and seasoning pork

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret – there's no pork in this recipe! We're using plump, juicy prawns instead. Trust me; you'll love it. First, grab about 11 small cooked prawns. They should be around 5 inches long – like the size of your hand, minus the fingers.

Now, peel those little guys and slice them lengthwise. It's like giving them a spa day – just a quick one. Don't forget to devein – nobody wants sandy surprises! Watch the video I provide for a super clear demo: it's quicker to show you than explain it.

After that, put them aside. Boom! Prawns are prepped. I know, it's not pork, but, these succulent prawns balance the noodles perfectly. Trust me. Now, onto the next amazing step.

Noodle Preparation

cooking noodles step by step

With the prawns prepped and ready, let's turn our attention to the noodles! I'm using dried vermicelli, 'cause they're perfect for this.

Now, grab about 50g—that's like 1.5 oz—of those noodles. Toss 'em in a bowl, and drown them in warm water! Seriously, make sure they are submerged. Consider these noodles a blank canvas for the flavors, much like lettuce leaves for a vegetarian wrap.

Let them soak for, say, 2 minutes? Or just eyeball it 'til they're soft, but not mushy. Follow the instructions on the packet, of course – don't want noodle mishaps!

Drain those soggy strands like you're rescuing them from a flood. Give them a good shake! Nobody likes watery noodles, right? They're ready for bowl greatness! Set this aside! Now, we're almost there! Woo-hoo!

Quick tip: If you're not using them right away, a little drizzle of oil keeps them from clumping. You're welcome! I think you should be really proud of all the prepping you're doing here.

Assembling the Bowl

bowl assembly instructions provided

Now that the noodles are prepped and ready, it's finally time to assemble our amazing bowl! I like to start with a generous bed of those yummy noodles – it's the foundation, after all.

Next, pile on the crisp veggies! I usually go for shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, and some fresh bean sprouts. Don't be shy, we want that crunch!

Now comes the star – our marinated pork. I'm telling you, the aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water. Place it right on top of the veggies, and maybe sneak a piece… I won't tell!

Finally, a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and a drizzle – or maybe a generous pour! – of that irresistible sauce. If you're feeling fancy, add a lime wedge for that extra zing! And now, we are ready to serve it!

Variations and Serving

serving and variation options

Think of this recipe as just a starting point, because you can totally mix things up to make it your own. I mean, don't be afraid to experiment!

So, want to make it vegetarian? I get it! Tofu's a champ here. Just grill or pan-fry it until it's golden brown and toss it in! You can totally swap pork for chicken too—shredded or grilled—works great. A delicious shredded chicken option would add a unique twist!

Now, how about serving? I like to serve these bowls immediately, while the noodles are warm and everything's super fresh. But hey, if you're prepping ahead, keep the components separate and assemble right before eating so your noodles don't get soggy. You could even set up a little DIY bowl station! Add a squirt of sriracha or hoisin sauce for extra zing—or not, you know? It's YOUR bowl.

Short Recipe Version

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Serving Size: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 carrot
  • 4 scallions
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 red chili, minced(optional)

Instructions:

  1. Slice pork and marinate with soy sauce, honey, and garlic for 10 minutes.
  2. Cook rice noodles according to package directions.
  3. Grill or pan-fry pork until cooked through.
  4. Prepare vegetables: thinly slice cucumber and carrot, chop scallions and cilantro.
  5. Make the sauce: Whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili.
  6. Assemble bowls: Add noodles, pork, vegetables.
  7. Drizzle with sauce and top with peanuts.

Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):

  • Calories: 450
  • Protein: 30g
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g