Traditional Bún Cá Hà Nội Recipe: Vietnamese Fish Noodle Soup

Ingredients

  • 500 grams of snakehead fish
  • 200 grams of tomatoes
  • 100 grams of dill
  • 100 grams of spring onion
  • 100 grams of perilla
  • 100 grams of cilantro
  • 50 grams of ginger
  • 1 liter of fish stock
  • 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
  • 500 grams of vermicelli noodles

Steps and instructions

  1. Clean the snakehead fish and cut into pieces. Marinate with 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and sliced ginger for 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: wash and cut the dill, spring onion, perilla, and cilantro into small pieces. Slice the tomatoes.
  3. Heat the cooking oil in a large pot. Add the marinated fish and sear until both sides are golden brown. Remove the fish and set aside.
  4. In the same pot, add the tomatoes and cook until soft.
  5. Add the fish stock to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the seared fish back into the pot.
  6. Season the broth with fish sauce and adjust to taste. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the flavors come together.
  7. While the broth is simmering, cook the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
  8. To serve, place a portion of noodles in a bowl, top with the fish and pour over the hot broth. Sprinkle with the chopped vegetables and serve immediately.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Substitute snakehead fish with another firm white fish such as catfish or cod.
  • Add shrimp or squid to the broth for a seafood twist.
  • Make it vegetarian by using vegetable stock instead of fish stock and omitting the fish.
  • Add sliced mushrooms to the broth for an earthy flavor.
  • Spice it up by adding chili peppers or chili flakes to the broth.
  • Include bean sprouts and sliced cucumbers as additional toppings.
  • Try using rice noodles or udon noodles instead of vermicelli noodles.
  • Experiment with different herbs such as Thai basil or mint.
  • For a tangy kick, add a squeeze of lime juice to the broth before serving.
  • Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free fish sauce and rice noodles.

Recipe overview

Bún Cá Hà Nội is a popular Vietnamese dish that originates from the heart of Hanoi. This hearty and comforting dish combines the delicate flavor of snakehead fish with a tangy tomato broth and fresh aromatic herbs. It's served over vermicelli noodles, making it a fulfilling main course that's bursting with traditional Vietnamese flavors. This recipe will guide you step-by-step on how to prepare Bún Cá Hà Nội at home. The process involves marinating the fish, preparing a flavorful broth, and assembling the dish with fresh herbs and noodles. The result is a vibrant dish that's both satisfying and refreshingly light, perfect for any time of the year. With the aromatic broth, tender fish, and a variety of textures from the herbs and noodles, this dish is sure to impress. Cooking this traditional dish at home allows you to control the flavors according to your liking, making it a perfect meal to share with family and friends.

Common questions

  1. Can I use a different type of fish? Yes, you can use other white fish such as cod or haddock as a substitute for snakehead fish.
  2. Can I use store-bought fish stock? Yes, you can use store-bought fish stock if you don't have homemade stock available.
  3. Can I add other vegetables? Certainly! Bún Cá Hà Nội traditionally includes dill, spring onion, perilla, cilantro, and tomatoes. However, you can experiment with adding other vegetables of your choice.
  4. Can I make the broth in advance? Yes, you can make the broth in advance and reheat it when ready to serve. This can be a time-saving option for busy days.
  5. Is it necessary to marinate the fish? Marinating the fish helps to enhance its flavor. However, if you're short on time, you can skip the marination step and proceed with searing the fish directly.
  6. Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan? To make a vegetarian version, you can substitute the fish with tofu or mushrooms and use vegetable stock instead of fish stock. For a vegan version, omit fish sauce and substitute with soy sauce or tamari.
  7. Can I adjust the seasoning to my taste? Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the amount of fish sauce, sugar, and salt according to your personal preference.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large pot - Used for cooking the fish and preparing the broth.
  • Knife - Needed for cutting the fish, vegetables, and herbs.
  • Cutting board - Used as a surface for cutting ingredients.
  • Tongs - Helpful for flipping and removing the fish from the pot.
  • Strainer - Used for rinsing the vermicelli noodles and draining them.
  • Bowls - Used for serving the Bun Ca Hanoi dish.
  • Spoons - Needed for serving and eating the dish.
  • Chopsticks - Optional utensil for eating the dish, commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine.

Origin stories

Bún Cá Hà Nội, as the name suggests, originates from the bustling city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. This dish is a testament to the Vietnamese philosophy of eating, which is all about balancing different flavors, textures, and colors in a single bowl. The snakehead fish used in this dish is a common creature in the rice fields and rivers of Vietnam. Local folklore often regards this fish as a tough survivor, as it can live out of water for several days and move across the land. It's a resilient fish for a resilient city, that has seen centuries of change but still retains its character, much like the dish itself. The combination of fresh herbs, aromatic broth, and hearty fish makes Bún Cá Hà Nội a beloved comfort food for the locals, warming their hearts and bellies in the brisk Hanoi weather.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.