Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Bowl with Herb Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant rice noodle bowl featuring fresh herbs and vegetables, topped with a tangy dressing symbolizing the rise of diverse learning and growth. This vietnamese-inspired noodles (gluten free) ready in about 20 minutes pairs dry rice vermicelli noodles, carrot, julienned, cucumber, julienned for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 8 oz dry rice vermicelli noodles, and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender but still slightly chewy. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles with 1 large julienned carrot, 1 medium julienned cucumber, and 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper.
  3. Step 3: Roughly chop and add 1/4 cup each of fresh mint, cilantro, and basil leaves to the bowl.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp water, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes until the honey dissolves and the dressing is well combined.
  5. Step 5: Pour the dressing over the noodle and vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts on top before serving for crunch.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Bowl with Herb Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Bowl with Herb Dressing?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dry rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Bowl with Herb Dressing?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Bowl with Herb Dressing for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Noodle Bowl with Herb Dressing gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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