Cao Lầu - Authentic Vietnamese Noodle Dish

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8 oz) thick rice noodles 250g (8.8 oz) thick rice noodles
• 200g (7 oz) pork loin, thinly sliced 200g (7 oz) pork loin, thinly sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) pork belly, thinly sliced 100g (3.5 oz) pork belly, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs (Thai basil, mint, cilantro) 1/4 cup fresh herbs (Thai basil, mint, cilantro)
• 1 lime, cut into wedges 1 lime, cut into wedges

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, marinate the pork loin and pork belly with soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, five-spice powder, and black pepper. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
2. 2.
   Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the marinated pork and cook until browned and cooked through.
4. 4.
   Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
5. 5.
   Arrange the cooked noodles in serving bowls and top with the cooked pork.
6. 6.
   Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and pork.
7. 7.
   Garnish with bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lime juice.
8. 8.
   Serve immediately and enjoy the authentic flavors of Cao Lầu!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork — For tender and juicy pork, make sure to slice it thinly against the grain.
• Rice noodles — Cook the noodles until they are slightly firm to the bite (al dente) to maintain their chewy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• To add an extra layer of flavor, you can garnish the dish with crispy fried shallots.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a few slices of fresh chili or a drizzle of chili oil.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute the pork with tofu or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of pork broth.
• To save time, you can prepare the broth in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Experiment with different combinations of fresh herbs to find your favorite flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve Cao Lầu hot, straight from the stove, to fully enjoy the flavors and aromas. Accompany it with a plate of fresh herbs, lime wedges, and chili slices for diners to customize their own bowl according to their preferences.

Presentation advice

Present Cao Lầu in individual bowls, with the noodles forming a bed for the pork and toppings. Garnish with a generous amount of bean sprouts and fresh herbs on top, creating a vibrant and appetizing dish.