
Bun Cha is one of the distinctive dishes of Hanoi. A dish with relatively simple ingredients but requiring a meticulous cooking process. To make delicious Bun Cha, you can also prepare it with an air fryer for an authentic Hanoi taste. Let's get into the kitchen with Mytour to learn how to make this enticing dish:
1. Ingredients
- Pork belly: 500 grams
- Shoulder pork: 300 grams
- Dried onions: 4 bulbs
- Garlic: 1 bulb
- Spring onions
- Chilies: 2 pieces
- Carrot: 1 small one
- Green papaya: 1 small piece
- Fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, broth cubes, pepper, oyster sauce, MSG, vinegar
- Fresh vegetables for garnish (lettuce, perilla, basil, coriander, mint...)

2. Necessary Tools
Air fryer, knife, cutting board, bowl, plate….

3. Guide on Making Bun Cha
Step 1: Meat Preparation
After purchasing pork, wash it with salt. Then, cut the pork belly into thin, broad slices.

For the shoulder pork, either mince or grind it finely.

Step 2: Prepare Mixed Vegetables
Peel and finely chop the purple onions. Mince garlic and chili separately.
Peel and julienne the carrots and papayas. Soak them in salty water to soften before mixing into the salad.

Clean the raw vegetables, soak them in a dilute saltwater solution for about 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and drain excess water.
Step 3: Marinate the Meat
Marinate pork belly slices with 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1 teaspoon of MSG, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of minced shallots, ½ teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of vinegar for color. Marinate for 4-5 hours or overnight for a more flavorful result.

For the minced meat: add 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder, 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, ½ teaspoon of pepper, minced shallots and green onions, a bit of vinegar for color. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour before shaping it into flat, round patties.

Step 4: Air Fry the Meat
For the solid meat, grill at 180°C for 10 minutes. Flip and grill for an additional 5 minutes at 200°C until slightly charred.

For the minced meat, place foil or parchment paper on the baking tray. Grill at 180°C for 10 minutes. Flip and continue grilling for about 4 minutes at 200°C.
Step 5: Mix Papaya and Carrot
For the papaya and carrot, drain after soaking in saltwater. Squeeze out excess water. Soak them in cold water, then add a bit of sugar, soup powder, vinegar, minced chili, minced garlic, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 6: Prepare Fish Sauce
Prepare 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 100 ml of boiling water. Stir well and adjust to your taste.


4. Finished Product
Bun cha is a dish with a rich and distinctive flavor of Hanoi. The grilled meat is fragrant, tender, and sweet, complemented by a dipping sauce that is both sweet and sour, with a hint of spice, served with crispy papaya and carrots.

Here is a guide on making Hanoi-style bun cha using an air fryer. Grilling the meat with an air fryer doesn't compromise the traditional flavor of this dish, right? Wishing you success, and don't forget to explore more delicious recipes in the Mytour kitchen section.