Homemade Bánh ướt with Grilled Pork and Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8 oz) rice flour 250g (8.8 oz) rice flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 500ml (2 cups) water 500ml (2 cups) water
• 200g (7 oz) pork shoulder, thinly sliced 200g (7 oz) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, Thai basil) for garnish Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, Thai basil) for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the rice flour, salt, and water. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
2. 2.
   Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil. Pour a ladleful of the rice flour mixture onto the pan, swirling it around to create a thin layer. Cook for about 1 minute until the edges start to curl. Repeat with the remaining batter.
3. 3.
   Transfer the cooked rice noodles to a plate and let them cool.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and vegetable oil. Add the sliced pork and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
5. 5.
   Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   To serve, place a portion of the rice noodles on a plate and top with grilled pork slices. Garnish with fresh herbs.
7. 7.
   Serve the Bánh ướt immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice flour — Make sure to whisk the rice flour mixture until it is smooth and free of lumps to achieve the desired texture of the rice noodles.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the grilled pork with marinated tofu or tempeh.
• Customize the dish by adding sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, or pickled carrots as additional toppings.
• To enhance the flavor, drizzle some homemade Vietnamese dipping sauce (nước chấm) over the dish.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add some sliced chili peppers to the marinade.
• Leftover Bánh ướt can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve Bánh ướt as a main course for lunch or dinner. Accompany it with a side of Vietnamese dipping sauce (nước chấm) for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled pork slices on top of the rice noodles and garnish with a generous amount of fresh herbs. The vibrant colors of the herbs will add visual appeal to the dish.