High-Protein Bun Cha
High-Protein Bun Cha
Ingredients
For the Pork Patties (Cha)
- 1 pound ground pork, lean
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, for cooking
For the Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/2 cup water, warm
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup daikon radish, julienned (optional)
For Serving
- 8 ounces rice vermicelli noodles, thin
- 4 cups lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup fresh herbs, such as mint, cilantro, perilla
- 1 cucumber, sliced
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, minced shallot, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, black pepper, and baking powder. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Form the pork mixture into small, thin patties, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. You should get about 16-20 patties.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Cover the patties and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the patties to firm up. This can be done up to 24 hours in advance for meal prep.
⏱️ 30 min
- 4
While the patties are chilling, prepare the nuoc cham dipping sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup fish sauce, warm water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and lime juice until the sugar is dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Stir in the minced garlic, sliced red chili (if using), julienned carrot, and daikon radish (if using). Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Typically, this involves soaking in hot water for a few minutes or boiling briefly until tender. Drain well and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Place the pork patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the patties are cooked through and nicely browned with slightly crispy edges. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the patties and your air fryer model. You may need to cook in batches.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Alternatively, you can pan-fry the patties in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes per side until cooked through and browned.
⏱️ 20 min
- 10
To serve, arrange the cooked vermicelli noodles, lettuce, fresh herbs, cucumber slices, and warm pork patties in separate bowls or on a platter. Pour the nuoc cham dipping sauce into individual small bowls for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min
- 11
For meal prep, store the cooked patties, noodles, and vegetables separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The nuoc cham can also be stored separately. Reheat patties gently before serving.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
High-Protein Bun Cha
For the Pork Patties (Cha)
- 1 pound ground pork, lean
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, for cooking
For the Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/2 cup water, warm
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup daikon radish, julienned (optional)
For Serving
- 8 ounces rice vermicelli noodles, thin
- 4 cups lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup fresh herbs, such as mint, cilantro, perilla
- 1 cucumber, sliced
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, minced shallot, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, black pepper, and baking powder. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Form the pork mixture into small, thin patties, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. You should get about 16-20 patties.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Cover the patties and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the patties to firm up. This can be done up to 24 hours in advance for meal prep.
⏱️ 30 min - 4
While the patties are chilling, prepare the nuoc cham dipping sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup fish sauce, warm water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and lime juice until the sugar is dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Stir in the minced garlic, sliced red chili (if using), julienned carrot, and daikon radish (if using). Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Typically, this involves soaking in hot water for a few minutes or boiling briefly until tender. Drain well and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Place the pork patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. Cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the patties are cooked through and nicely browned with slightly crispy edges. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the patties and your air fryer model. You may need to cook in batches.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Alternatively, you can pan-fry the patties in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes per side until cooked through and browned.
⏱️ 20 min - 10
To serve, arrange the cooked vermicelli noodles, lettuce, fresh herbs, cucumber slices, and warm pork patties in separate bowls or on a platter. Pour the nuoc cham dipping sauce into individual small bowls for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min - 11
For meal prep, store the cooked patties, noodles, and vegetables separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The nuoc cham can also be stored separately. Reheat patties gently before serving.