This recipe for Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Spring Rolls (Bun Cha Gio) is simple, fresh, crunchy and delicious. It's a light yet substantial meal, perfect for summer or anytime.
One of my favourite things to eat is Vietnamese rice noodle salad.
It's light, herbacious, and delicious -- especially with freshly fried cha gio.
What is cha gio?
In Vietnamese, "cha gio" refer to spring rolls, otherwise known as egg rolls.
Vietnamese-style cha gio are made of a mixture of meat and vegetables such as ground pork, carrot, wood ear and vermicelli noodles, wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and deep fried.
They are different than goi cuon, which are Vietnamese "summer/salad" rolls.
What is bun cha gio?
Bun means rice noodle in Vietnamese.
Bun cha gio refers to a Vietnamese rice noodle dish with fried spring rolls.
The rice noodles are paired with leafy greens, herbs and pickled veggies, making it a noodle salad of sorts.
Why you'll love this recipe
This Vietnamese noodle salad recipe is very straightforward -- the bulk of the cooking comes from boiling the noodles and frying the spring rolls.
After that, it's a matter of assembling it together in a bowl.
It's versatile -- you can easily swap out the spring rolls for any protein or tofu.
Ingredients you'll need
- rice vermicelli noodles: these naturally gluten-free noodles are made with rice flour and water, and can range in varying thickness; for this noodle salad bowl, I like using a medium thickness rather than a thin vermicelli that's used in Sarawak Laksa
- spring rolls (cha gio): you can make them at home or find them frozen and uncooked in Asian supermarkets; fry the spring rolls in hot oil until golden and crunchy
- lettuce: you can use shredded ice berg or green leaf lettuce
- herbs: Vietnamese mint and perilla leaves are common, but you can use whatever you like -- here I used mint and cilantro
- bean sprouts: lightly blanched
- cucumber: sliced
- do chua: is a Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot; adds a little tang and crunch to the noodle bowl
- nuoc cham: is a Vietnamese all-purpose condiment/dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chilies
How to make it
Fry the spring rolls in hot oil until crisp, golden in colour and crunchy.
Drain on paper towel.
Note: if using frozen spring rolls, fry from frozen -- do not defrost.
Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package directions.
Rinse and drain the noodles.
Arrange the rice noodles, lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, herbs and do chua on a serving bowl.
Add the fried spring rolls.
Drizzle nuoc cham over the noodles and serve immediately.
How to serve
Bun Cha Gio is best served freshly assembled.
For optimal taste and texture, drizzle the nuoc cham over the noodles/veggies and not the spring rolls, so that they remain crunchy.
It's optimal to fry the spring rolls right before enjoying.
Otherwise, you can fry the spring rolls ahead of time (1 hour prior) and keep them warm in a 250F oven.
How to store
If you need to store Bun Cha Gio, place the components separately in the fridge until ready to serve.
Variations
Change up the Rice Vermicelli Noodle bowl and add:
- chargrilled pork (bun thit nuong)
- beef (bun thit nuong bo)
- prawns (bun thit nuong tom)
- fatty pork (bun cha)
- vegetables/tofu (bun chay)
Other Vietnamese recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
Do Chua (Vietnamese Pickled Daikon & Carrot)
Cold Cut Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Vietnamese Salad Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
Vietnamese Coffee French Toast
Cà Phê Sữa đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Spring Rolls (Bun Cha Gio)
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 5-6 spring rolls fried until golden and crunchy
- 100 g rice vermicelli noodles cooked
- ¼ head lettuce shredded
- ½ cucumber sliced
- bean sprouts blanched
- mint leaves
- perilla leaves
- do chua
- nuoc cham
Instructions
- Fry the spring rolls in hot oil until crisp, golden in colour and crunchy.
- Drain on paper towel.
- Note: if using frozen spring rolls, fry from frozen -- do not defrost.
- Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to the package directions.
- Rinse and drain the noodles.
- Arrange the rice noodles, lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, herbs and do chua on a serving bowl.
- Add the fried spring rolls.
- Drizzle nuoc cham over the noodles and serve immediately.
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.
David @ Spiced
I always learn something when I stop by your site, Michelle! I didn't know cha gio are egg rolls. I do love egg rolls, but I've never tried making them at home. I really should try sometime! This recipe looks fantastic, my friend.
Healthy World Cuisine
The boys would clear this plate of spring rolls in a nanosecond. There is nothing like that crispy bite. It is so addictive.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Such a delicious bowl and spotless presentation!
Raymund
That seriously looks good, very vibrant, full of textures and flavours. Now you made me crave for one
Dana
This made for such a lovely dinner! Total restaurant quality in the comfort of your own home. Love the crispness and freshness.