Very Authentic Bún Chả Hà Nội (Recipe from a Hanoian)

Step 1

Remove the skin from the pork belly (optional) and thinly slice it to about 1.5 inches (4 cm).

Step 2

Finely chop the scallions (green and white parts separated). Mince the shallot and garlic.

Step 3

In a bowl, mix together the fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, Vietnamese caramel sauce, and black pepper powder.

Step 4

Season the pork belly with half of the sauce, half of the garlic and shallot, and all of the white parts of the scallion. Allow it to marinate for one hour.

Step 5

Mix the remaining sauce, garlic, shallot, and all of the green parts of the scallion with the ground pork until well combined. Add the cooking oil and mix again (the oil helps keep the meatballs juicy when grilling). Allow the mixture to rest for 30 minutes to one hour.

Step 6

Shape the marinated ground pork into mini hamburger patties.

Step 7

Charcoal Grill (yielding the best flavor): + Put the pork on the grill rack and grill each side for 3-4 minutes.

Step 8

Air Fryer (more convenient):+ Place the pork in the air fryer basket.+ Cook it at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.+ Flip the meat and cook for another 5 minutes.

Step 9

Oven (for large batches):+ Heat the oven to 390°F (200°C).+ Arrange the meat on the rack with the drip tray underneath.+ Bake the pork belly and pork patties for 20 minutes or until they achieves a golden brown color. + Flip them and grill for an additional 15 minutes.

Step 10

Peel and thinly slice the green papaya and carrot. You can use a mandolin to slice them even thinner, but be cautious not to cut yourself.

Step 11

Soak the green papaya in water with salt for 30 minutes to remove the milky sap, then rinse and drain it well (skip this step if using kohlrabi).

Step 12

Mix the carrot and papaya slices with salt, sugar and vinegar. After 15 minutes, you'll have Dưa Góp pickles.

Step 13

Finely chop the garlic and chili.

Step 14

Combine the fish sauce, sugar, water. Cook the mixture over low heat until the sugar has dissolved completely. Add vinegar and lime juice.

Step 15

Add the garlic, chili, carrot, and pickles to the saucepan. Stir thoroughly to combine. Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Step 16

Cook the rice noodles following the directions on the package.

Step 17

Rinse and drain the lettuce and herbs.

Step 18

Place the grilled pork in a bowl, then pour the fish sauce with pickles over the pork.

Step 19

You could dip the rice noodles and herbs into the sauce in the bowl, then eat.Or you could place the rice noodles and herbs into into the bowl altogether, and enjoy.