Vietnamese Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs

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

A refreshing and flavorful bowl of vermicelli noodles topped with marinated grilled pork, crunchy vegetables, and fragrant herbs. This vietnamese-inspired rice & grains ready in about 25 minutes pairs rice vermicelli noodles, pork shoulder, thinly sliced, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp finely chopped lemongrass to create the marinade. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Cook 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles in boiling water for 4 minutes until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  3. Step 3: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and cook the pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Divide the noodles into four bowls, top with grilled pork, 1 medium julienned carrot, 1 medium julienned cucumber, and sprinkle 1/4 cup fresh mint and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro over each bowl.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped peanuts and serve each bowl with a lime wedge to squeeze over just before eating for a bright finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs?

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 rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs?

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 Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs 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.

What goes well with Vietnamese Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs?

Vietnamese rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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