This Banh Hoi Platter features Vietnamese woven rice noodles bundled up with an assortment of roasted meat, cucumbers, and fresh herbs, making it the ultimate celebratory platter.
What is banh hoi?
Bánh hỏi refers to a finely textured Vietnamese rice noodle that is woven and bundled together and laid flat in rectangular sheets.
It has a soft, yet firm, slightly sticky texture that holds together.
Banh hoi is rolled into bundles and served cold (like Vietnamese bun rice noodles).
Traditionally, banh hoi is served with a scallion oil with chopped garlic chives/or green onions over the top of the noodles to flavour them. (My kids aren't fond of green onions, so I've omitted here).
Where to find it?
You can find banh hoi noodles in Asian/Vietnamese supermarkets.
They are usually sold as a dry package, similar to rice vermicelli noodles.
Why you'll love this recipe
This recipe is really easy to put together, with minimal cooking time.
The ingredients are easily prepped, and for convenience, you can use store-bought (roasted pork, spring rolls).
You can customize the platter however you like.
It's easily gluten and dairy free (omit the spring rolls for gluten-free).
This platter is great for entertaining, special occasions, or for the holidays.
Ingredients you'll need
Use this list as a jumping point for the banh hoi platter -- you can vary it according to your liking:
- banh hoi: woven rice noodles, cooked
- cucumbers: sliced
- fresh mint/basil
- roasted pork/meat: you can get roasted pork from Asian BBQ meat shops/supermarket; cut into pieces
- cha lua: Vietnamese steamed pork roll; sliced
- cha gio: spring rolls; fried
- do chua: pickled daikon & carrot
- nuoc cham: dipping sauce; a condiment used in Vietnamese dishes made from fish sauce, lime juice, garlic and chilies
Other serving suggestions
As banh hoi is usually eaten with various meats, try:
- grilled pork, chicken or beef
- shrimp paste on sugar cane stick
- roasted duck
Also, you can add other fresh herbs/vegetables to accompany the banh hoi, such as:
- perilla leaf
- green leaf lettuce
- cilantro
How to make it
Cook the banh hoi according to the package directions.
Note: the noodles do not require a long cooking time, only about 90 seconds.
Have a large basin of ice cold water ready.
Dunk the noodles into the cold water to stop the cooking process, and drain well.
Take the cooked banh hoi and roll into bundles and place onto the platter.
Arrange the roasted pork, meat(s), spring rolls, cucumber and fresh herbs.
Add the do chua (pickled daikon & carrot) and nuoc cham (dipping sauce) into small vessels and place onto the platter/board and serve.
How to serve and store
To serve, take a piece of banh hoi, add your chosen toppings, bundle it up, dip into the nuoc cham, and enjoy.
Store any leftovers in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can reheat the roasted pork and spring rolls in the oven prior to serving.
You can cook the banh hoi ahead of time and chill in the fridge.
Enjoy this mixed platter as an appetizer, or as a meal.
Tips & tricks
Try placing the banh hoi into a colander while submerging in hot boiling water. This avoids the noodles from being displaced.
Use a pair of tongs to remove the colander from the boiling water.
Dunking the woven noodles in cold water not only helps to stop the cooking process, it also adds a little more bouncy/chewy texture to the noodles.
For an even more bouncy texture, cover the banh hoi with plastic wrap and place into the fridge for a few hours to chill.
If buying roasted pork from an Asian BBQ meat shop, ask the butcher not to cut it and keep it whole.
When you get home, you can cut up the pork.
To get that optimal crunch on roasted pork skin, roast it in the oven at 400F for 10-15 minutes.
Keep an eye on the skin so that it doesn't get too brown/burnt.
Also, the skin will continue to crisp up after removing from the oven.
Other recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Cold Cut Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Do Chua (Vietnamese Pickled Daikon & Carrot)
Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Spring Rolls (Bun Cha Gio)
Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)
3 Quick and Easy Holiday Appetizers
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Banh Hoi Platter
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
Instructions
Cook the banh hoi noodles:
- Cook the banh hoi according to the package directions.
- Note: banh hoi does not require a long cooking time, only about 90 seconds.
- Have a large basin of ice cold water ready.
- Dunk the banh hoi noodles into the cold water to stop the cooking process, and drain well.
Assemble:
- Take the cooked banh hoi and roll into bundles and place onto the platter.
- Arrange the roasted pork, meat(s), spring rolls, cucumber and fresh herbs.
- Add the do chua (pickled daikon & carrot) and nuoc cham (dipping sauce) into small vessels and place onto the platter/board and serve.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Neil
This looks delicious as an appetiser. Love how it is minimal effort too Michelle. Yum!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
I've never had noodles cooked and served like that, and this sounds wonderful (And I bet tastes great!)
David @ Spiced
What a fun idea! This is like a Vietnamese charcuterie board. 🙂 I love meals like this during the holidays. Pour a glass of wine, set out a board like this and just enjoy spending the time with family and friends. Very creative!!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
That was a great idea to also try adding some roasted duck. Your Banh Hoi would be the perfect finger food platter to serve for New Years Eve!
Caleb - Never Ending Journeys
This banh hoi platter looks so incredibly delicious! Love the variety of ingredients. 🙂
Raymund | angsarap.net
OMG I want that platter!!!! Those pork