History
Bun cha is thought to have originated in Hanoi. Bun Cha Huong Lien became famous when US President Barack Obama dined there with Anthony Bourdain in May 2016, and its Obama Combo is a bowl of bun cha, a fried seafood roll and a Hanoi beer. Bun Cha Dac Kim has been in the Old Quarter since 1966, and Tuyet Bun Cha 34 grills to order. Michelin gives Tuyet Bun Cha 34 a Bib Gourmand and lists the other two.
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Common allergens: Fish (in nuoc cham), Soy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 400g pork shoulder, sliced thin
- 400g pork belly, sliced thin
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp palm sugar
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 300g rice vermicelli (bun)
- For nuoc cham: 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 4 tbsp lime juice
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 200ml warm water
- 1 chilli
- 2 garlic cloves
- Pickled green papaya and carrot for the bowl
- Lettuce, perilla, Thai basil to serve
Method
- Combine pork shoulder and belly with fish sauce, palm sugar, shallots, garlic and pepper. Marinate 1 hour minimum.
- Mix the nuoc cham: dissolve sugar in warm water, add fish sauce, lime juice, chopped chilli and minced garlic. Taste and adjust.
- Soak bun in boiling water for 4 minutes, drain and rinse cold.
- Light a charcoal grill (or use a smoking-hot cast iron). Grill pork shoulder slices for 2 minutes per side and pork belly slices for 3 minutes per side until charred and smoky.
- Drop hot grilled pork into the warm nuoc cham with pickled vegetables.
- Serve the dressed broth with cold vermicelli and the herb plate on the side. Diners dip noodles into the broth.
Tip from the editors. The charcoal smoke is the dish; use real charcoal if at all possible, or finish on a kitchen blowtorch.
Where to eat bún chả
Bún Chả in Hanoi
Bún Chả Hương Liên ★ 4.1
Bún Chả Hương Liên serves bún chả with smoky pork, meat patties, fragrant herbs and fresh salad leaves at 24 Le Van Huu, by a glass-encased president table.
OrderThe Obama Combo: a fried seafood roll, a bowl of the special bún chả and a bia hà nội.
TipPayment is made in cash at the entrance on departure, so keep some cash ready for the end of the meal.
Bún Chả Đắc Kim ★ 4.2
Bún Chả Đắc Kim has been in the Old Quarter since 1966 at 1 Hang Manh, serving vermicelli noodles with shredded smoky pork and plump pork patties.
OrderBún chả: vermicelli noodles with shredded smoky pork and plump pork patties.
TipQueues are common, so be prepared to wait patiently and perhaps share a table.
Tuyết Bún Chả 34 ★ 4.3
Tuyết Bún Chả 34 is a Bib Gourmand stall at 34 Hang Than in Hanoi, known for bún chả with rice noodles, fresh herbs and pork chargrilled to order.
OrderBún chả, with an extra spring roll for added crunchiness.
TipDip the noodles in the flavoursome broth, and order an extra spring roll if you want more crunch.
More cities are in research. Want bún chả covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.