Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Chiapas Twist

Ingredients

In this Chiapas-inspired adaptation, we incorporate local ingredients and flavors to give the dish a unique twist. The traditional Vietnamese sauce is replaced with a tangy and slightly spicy Chiapas-inspired sauce, made with chipotle peppers, lime juice, and cilantro. This adds a smoky and zesty element to the dish, enhancing the grilled pork's flavor. Additionally, we incorporate Chiapas herbs and vegetables to complement the dish's vibrant taste. We alse have the original recipe for Bún thịt nướng, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 200g (7 oz) vermicelli noodles 200g (7 oz) vermicelli noodles
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 2 carrots, julienned 2 carrots, julienned
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 8g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, minced chipotle peppers, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
2. 2.
   Add the thinly sliced pork to the marinade and toss until well coated. Allow the pork to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.
4. 4.
   Cook the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
5. 5.
   Divide the cooked vermicelli noodles among serving bowls. Top with the grilled pork slices, fresh cilantro, mint, Thai basil, bean sprouts, cucumber, and carrots.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of honey to create the Chiapas-inspired sauce.
7. 7.
   Drizzle the sauce over the vermicelli bowl and toss everything together to combine.
8. 8.
   Serve the Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl with a Chiapas Twist immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Vermicelli noodles — Make sure to rinse the cooked noodles with cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce — Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers according to your desired level of spiciness. Add more for a bolder flavor or reduce for a milder taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the pork with grilled tofu or tempeh marinated in the Chiapas-inspired sauce.
• Customize your bowl by adding sliced jalapenos or crushed peanuts for an extra kick and crunch.
• If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add a teaspoon of brown sugar to the Chiapas-inspired sauce.
• To save time, you can marinate the pork overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
• Make extra Chiapas-inspired sauce and serve it on the side for those who prefer a spicier taste.

Serving advice

Serve the Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl with a Chiapas Twist in individual bowls, allowing each person to customize their toppings and mix everything together before enjoying. Provide extra lime wedges and fresh herbs on the side for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl with a Chiapas Twist by arranging the colorful ingredients in an appealing manner. Place the grilled pork slices on top of the vermicelli noodles and garnish with a generous amount of fresh herbs. Drizzle the Chiapas-inspired sauce over the bowl, allowing it to cascade down the sides, creating an enticing visual appeal.