Bun Cha, specialty of Ha Noi

In Ha Noi, capital of Vietnam, you can find many delicious local dishes, especially- Bun Cha. This simple dish is a great combination of savory and fresh, it has vibrant colors and the harmony of the meat and vegetables makes this dish special.

So, what makes Bun Cha so special and become a must-try dish when visiting Vietnam?

Find out about Bun Cha

Bun cha is a local dish originally from Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam. Throughout Vietnam you can find a lot of dishes that has the same formula as bun cha (like Bun Thit Nuong in Saigon), however, Ha Noi’s Bun Cha is very different.

It does not matter if you eat bun cha in a restaurant or a small cart on the the street, you will be served by a plate of vermicelli (bun), a bowl of broth with grilled pork and a basket of fresh greens.

Bun, the vermicelli noodles, is served on a plate. To make a decent bowl of bun cha, the the vermicelli has to be thin, soft and chewy. Cha is the meat part of this dish, served in a bowl. The meat is made from pork and cooked in 2 styles: cha vien (ground pork) and cha mieng (grilled thin slice pork). It is served with the broth. Without vegetables and herbs, Vietnamese dishes are not be complete. In the big basket of greens on the table, you will find fresh lettuce, Thai basil, cilantro, fish mint, banana flower and coriander.

The way people eat Bun Cha

The way you eat Bun Cha is also quite simple. Just dip an amount of rice noodle directly into the meat sauce. Add chilies and fresh herbs according to your preference. And then slurp your yummy bowl. The rice noodles will soak up the broth, the fattiness coming from the pork and the natural aroma of uncooked vegetables. All in one mouthful. Like any other noodle dishes, Bun Cha is meant to be eaten with chopsticks. So remember to leave your knife and folk at home.

Bun Cha can be found in every corner of Ha Noi, from small street vendors to fine-dining restaurants. But if you want to eat like a Hanoian, come to the Old Quarter. Maybe start with a strong shot of vodka first to prepare your stomach. And then get ready to eat in places that in your home country would not pass any food hygiene regulations. Believe me or not, you would not regret it.

The places to enjoy Bun Cha

Ha Noi
Bun Cha Tuyet: 34 Hang Thang
Bun Cha Dac Kim: 1 Hang Manh
Bun Cha Lan Beo: Alley 74 Hang Quat (opens from 10 am to 2 pm)
Bun Cha Huong Lien (Bun Cha Obama): 24 Le Van Huu street

Saigon
Bun Cha Ho Guom: 135 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 6, District 3

Source Internet