Print

Flavorful Bun Bo Hue Recipe Easy Homemade Spicy Beef Noodle Soup

Bun Bo Hue recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A rich and spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup with lemongrass, shrimp paste, and thick rice noodles, perfect for cozy dinners and bursting with authentic street food flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds beef shank
  • 1 pound pork hock or pork leg bones
  • 12 cups water
  • 3 lemongrass stalks, bruised and tied
  • 2-inch piece ginger, smashed
  • 1 large onion, halved
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons dried chili flakes
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 small shallots, minced
  • 1 tablespoon shrimp paste (mắm ruốc)
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 pound bun noodles (thick rice noodles)
  • 8 ounces thinly sliced beef (sirloin or eye of round)
  • Fresh herbs: cilantro, Thai basil, and mint
  • Green onions and sliced white onions
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Bean sprouts
  • Thinly sliced banana blossoms or cabbage (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse beef shank and pork bones under cold water. Place them in a large stockpot with 12 cups (2.8 liters) of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil hard for 10 minutes. Skim off foam and impurities with a slotted spoon.
  2. Add bruised lemongrass stalks, smashed ginger, and halved onion to the broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 1 hour to extract flavors.
  3. While broth simmers, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, shallots, and dried chili flakes. Cook until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in shrimp paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Strain solids from broth through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth back into the pot. Return broth to stove and stir in prepared spice paste. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Cook bun noodles according to package instructions (usually 3-5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Arrange fresh herbs, sliced onions, bean sprouts, and lime wedges on a serving platter.
  6. Thinly slice beef. To serve, place noodles in bowls, top with raw beef slices, and ladle hot broth over to gently cook the beef. Garnish with herbs, bean sprouts, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Skim the broth thoroughly to keep it clear and free from bitterness. Bruise lemongrass to release essential oils. Toast chili flakes gently to enhance aroma. Avoid overcooking noodles to keep them chewy. Adjust chili flakes and lime juice to control heat. Shrimp paste is essential for authentic umami but can be reduced or substituted with miso paste for a milder flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Bun Bo Hue, spicy beef noodle soup, Vietnamese soup, lemongrass soup, shrimp paste, beef shank soup, Asian noodle soup, homemade Bun Bo Hue

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/flavorful-bun-bo-hue-recipe-easy-homemade-spicy-beef-noodle-soup/