Vietnamese Vermicelli Noodle Bowl (With Grilled Shrimp) (2024)

5 from 17 votes

Easy to make: This vermicelli bowl recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple steps, making it a hassle-free dish to prepare.

Cook Vermicelli Noodles Without Boiling It: Means less clean up for us!

Versatile: You can customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences by adding your favorite vegetables, protein, and sauces.

A Light Meal: The combination of fresh veggies, tangy fish sauce dressing, and the mix of textures from the vermicelli noodles and vegetables create a burst of delicious flavors in every bite.

Crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Its vibrant colors and enticing flavors make it an appealing dish for everyone to enjoy. You can even set it up to be buffet style to build your noodle bowl!

All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious vermicelli bowl recipe at home.

Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.

For the Vermicelli Noodle Bowl:

• Vermicelli: We will be needing rice vermicelli to make this dish. It will provide a soft and chewy texture to the noodle bowl.
• Carrot: We will also need a carrot which will add a crunch and a hint of sweetness to the noodle bowl.
• Cucumber: We will need cucumber as well. It will bring a refreshing and crisp element to the noodle bowl.
• Lettuce: We will also need some lettuce leaves. They will provide a fresh and leafy base for the noodle bowl. I like to use the leafy green lettuce over the iceberg lettuce because it has more flavor and more nutrients, and it makes for a less watery vermicelli bowl.
• Bean sprouts: We will need some bean sprouts as well. They will give a refreshing and crunchy texture to the noodle bowl.
• Thai Basil: This will give an amazing fragrant and aromatic taste to the noodle bowl.Try to use Thai basil for this if you can, it has a stronger flavor. If you can't find Thai basil, regular green genovese basil will work as well.
• Lime: We will also need some lime wedges to make this dish. Squirt it on before you eat, to give it a zesty and citrusy kick to the noodle bowl. Do not use bottled lime juice for this.
• Pickled Daikon Radish (Optional): We will need pickled daikon radish. It will add a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the noodle bowl. I have a recipe for some Quick Pickled Daikon Radishes on my blog if you want to make it, but this is an optional ingredient.

Making this incredible vermicelli bowl recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:

Step 1: Soak the Vermicelli Noodles in Boiling Water

To make the vermicelli noodle bowl, I like to use my soak method from 'How to Cook Vermicelli Without Boiling' by adding the dry vermicelli noodles to a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over the noodles, making sure they are fully submerged.

Let the noodles soak for about 1-2 minutes. Do a taste test, to test for doneness around the 1 minute mark.

Strain the noodles through a sieve or strainer and portion a bundle into a serving bowl.

For the vermicelli bowl, cut the carrots, cucumbers, pickled daikon (optional) into slivers and put it in a bowl with bean sprouts and vermicelli noodles. (Note: I like to remove the cucumber seeds and snack on them with the pups while I cutting up the cucumbers, this is optional, but I find removing the seeds makes for a better texture in noodle bowls)

Next, finely chop green leaf lettuce and add it to the bowl as well. Lastly, finely chop green onions and cut limes into wedges, setting them aside in the bowl after assembling the noodle bowl.

To make the grilled shrimp, start by marinating the shrimp in a small bowl. Allow the shrimp to marinate for 10-15 minutes. After marinating, remove the ginger and garlic from the shrimp to prevent burning on the grill and skewer the shrimp.

Preheat the grill to high heat. Once the grill is hot, grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they are cooked through and slightly charred.

For the sauce I usually go with the traditional Nuoc Cham which is a tangy Vietnamese fish sauce dressing that is slightly sweet. If I am feeling like a really saucy meal, I will occasionally also make my easy 3 ingredient Hoisin Dipping Sauce as well which is sweeter and thicker. I like to drizzle that along side the nuoc cham.

Both dressings are good, depending on your mood, you can make one or both!

To make the Nuoc Cham Sauce, dissolve the sugar in hot water in a small bowl. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the garlic, lime juice, and fish sauce and mix well. Serve the sauce on the side of the noodle bowl and drizzle it over the noodles before eating.

To make the hoisin sauce, mix hoisin sauce, toasted sesame oil and chili oil with water and mix well. Set it aside for drizzling.

Once the sauces are made, assemble the bowl by adding in the vegetables, and top it with the shrimp. You can also sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds, crispy fried onions (store bought), fresh basil and mint as well but it's optional.

Drizzle the sauces on top of the bowl and your delicious Vermicelli Bowl is ready to be served!

Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Vermicelli Bowl Every Single Time

• Assembling the Bowl: Start by placing a bed of vermicelli noodles at the bottom of a bowl. Then, arrange the grilled shrimp and vegetables on top. Garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime for a burst of freshness and top it off with nuoc cham dressing.
• Serving and Enjoying: Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy it at its best. Mix everything together before taking a bite to guarantee that all the flavors are well combined.
• If You Can't Find Toasted Rice Powder - You can make it at home by taking glutinous sticky rice (sweet rice) and lightly toasting it in a frying pan until it is brown. Then blitz it in a blender or food processor.

This delicious vermicelli bowl recipe is so flavorful and easy to make, you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:

Grilled Vietnamese Sausage (Nem Nuong) - These pork sausages are sweet and savory and loaded with delicious garlicky flavors. They also have a wonderfully springy texture which makes them a joy to eat, especially in a noodle bowl.

Vegetarian: Swap the protein for tofu or tempeh and add a variety of colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and cucumber. Drizzle with a easy peanut sauce for a satisfying vegetarian option.

Beef and Broccoli: Stir-fry thinly sliced beef with broccoli florets and garlic for a hearty and delicious vermicelli bowl. Finish it off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added crunch.

Lemongrass Chicken: Marinate chicken in a delicious lemongrass marinade before grilling or pan-frying. Serve it over vermicelli noodles and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for another style of delicious Vietnamese noodle bowl.

Lemongrass Pork: Marinate pork in a lemongrass-infused sauce before grilling or baking. Serve it over vermicelli noodles and top with fresh herbs like cilantro and mint for a fragrant and delicious vermicelli bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

To store leftovers, begin by first transferring the leftover food into an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the container in the refrigerator as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of cooking.

The leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. When ready to eat the leftovers, you can simply take the container out of the fridge and enjoy it cold.

Unfortunately, vermicelli bowl leftovers cannot be frozen. This is because the texture and freshness of the ingredients, such as the noodles and vegetables, may become compromised when frozen and thawed.

Plus, the sauce and dressing may separate or change in consistency when frozen. Therefore, it is best to consume the leftovers within the recommended timeframe for optimal taste and texture.

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