Are you craving a refreshing and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine? Look no further than this tantalizing Vietnamese Grilled Pork & Cold Noodle Salad recipe. Combining the savory flavors of grilled pork chops with the satisfying crunch of cold rice noodles, this dish is a delightful blend of textures and tastes. But what makes this recipe truly special? Let’s dive in and discover the secrets behind this mouthwatering Vietnamese creation.
The Inspiration for the Recipe
The inspiration for this Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pork comes from a local restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota called Thanh Truc. We have been regular customers at Thanh Truc, and one of our favorite dishes is the Combination Salad C2. This flavorful salad features a delightful combination of Vietnamese noodle salad with pork and homemade eggrolls. It embodies the clean and simple flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, using fresh ingredients to create a harmonious balance of taste and texture.
Our dining experience at Thanh Truc has inspired us to recreate this delectable dish at home, perfecting it with our own twist. The key component that elevates the flavors of the salad is the rice vinegar dressing. Its tangy and slightly sweet notes complement the grilled pork and bring a delightful brightness to the dish.
Recreating the Magic of Thanh Truc
When developing our version of Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pork, we aimed to capture the essence of Thanh Truc’s dish while adding our personal touch. We carefully selected lean pork tenderloin and marinated it with a blend of traditional Vietnamese ingredients, including lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and a touch of chili garlic sauce for a hint of heat.
To create the desired flavor profile, we caramelized the pork to perfection, achieving a beautiful charred exterior that enhances the overall taste. Additionally, we assembled the salad using rice vermicelli noodles, vibrant lettuce, crisp carrot and cucumber slices, refreshing bean sprouts, and a medley of aromatic herbs such as cilantro, lime, fresh mint, and Thai basil. The result is a vibrant and satisfying noodle salad that mirrors the flavors and textures we adore from Thanh Truc.
Rice Vinegar Dressing: The Finishing Touch
The rice vinegar dressing is a crucial element that ties everything together in this Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pork. We meticulously crafted our own version, balancing the tartness of rice vinegar with a touch of sweetness from honey. This dressing adds a delightful tang that enhances the flavors of the salad and brings out the natural freshness of the vegetables and herbs.
In conclusion, our love for the Vietnamese noodle salad with pork served at Thanh Truc in Woodbury, Minnesota inspired us to recreate this delectable dish at home. By adding our own twist and perfecting the rice vinegar dressing, we were able to capture the essence of the original dish while adding our personal touch. This Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pork is a true celebration of Vietnamese flavors and a delightful option for a light and refreshing meal.
The Perfect Pork Chops and Noodle Salad
When it comes to creating the perfect Vietnamese noodle salad with pork, the choice of meat is crucial. We recommend using lean pork tenderloin for its tenderness and flavor. To ensure easy slicing, it’s best to chill the tenderloin in the freezer for 30 minutes before cutting it into thin strips.
Marinating the pork is the next step in achieving delicious results. A sweet and salty mixture works wonders to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Let the marinated pork sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Now it’s time to bring out the charred and caramelized flavors. Quickly sear the marinated pork in a hot skillet, giving it a beautiful char while retaining its juiciness. The caramelization adds an irresistible depth of flavor to the dish.
The noodle salad itself is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Start with a bed of rice vermicelli noodles, adding a refreshing crunch with lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and bean sprouts. For that authentic Vietnamese touch, don’t forget a generous amount of fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and Thai basil.
The pièce de résistance is the hot pork, which is perfectly placed atop the vibrant salad. This combination creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. And to elevate the dish further, serve it with a side of tangy rice vinegar dressing.
Now that you’ve mastered the art of creating the perfect pork chops and noodle salad, you can indulge in this Vietnamese culinary delight right at home.
Ingredients:
- Lean pork tenderloin
- Rice vermicelli noodles
- Lettuce
- Carrot
- Cucumber
- Bean sprouts
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Fresh mint
- Thai basil
Instructions:
- Chill the pork tenderloin in the freezer for 30 minutes. Slice it into thin strips.
- Marinate the pork with a sweet and salty mixture and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over high heat and quickly sear the marinated pork until caramelized and cooked through.
- Prepare the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions.
- Assemble the salad by combining the cooked noodles, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, and Thai basil.
- Top the salad with the hot caramelized pork.
- Serve with a side of rice vinegar dressing.
Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Grilled Pork Chops
Looking for a delicious and satisfying Vietnamese noodle salad with pork option? Try our recipe featuring juicy grilled pork chops! To add flavor to the pork, we marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey for sweetness. The resulting combination of savory, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavors is simply delightful.
Once the pork chops are marinated, grill them until perfectly cooked and let them rest for a few minutes. While the pork is resting, we assemble the salad using rice vermicelli noodles, shredded romaine lettuce, pickled carrots, daikon, and cucumber slices. Fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and basil add a burst of freshness to the dish.
To serve, top the salad with the grilled pork chops and sprinkle with crushed peanuts for some added crunch. And let’s not forget about the delicious nuoc cham sauce! This tangy and spicy sauce, made with fish sauce, rice wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and garlic, complements the flavors of the salad perfectly.
With its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and satisfying mix of textures, this Vietnamese noodle salad with grilled pork chops is a true crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner option that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine in every bite.