Bún bò Nam Bộ, surprisingly simple and a breeze to prepare. A bowl of mixed noodles for those lazy rice-cooking days, a perfect choice for busy moms craving deliciousness. In response to your needs, this article by Mytour invites you to the kitchen to cook up the delightful Bún bò Nam Bộ or aromatic sautéed beef noodles.
1. What makes Bún bò Nam Bộ special?
Named after the South, but this beef noodle dish actually originates from Hanoi locals. Legend has it that on the old Nam Bộ street (now renamed to Lê Duẩn), a Bún bò stall appeared next to Đồng Lợi hotel in the 80s of the last century.
After enhancing the flavor, Mrs. Can, the owner, decided to elevate the bún dish by adding beef toppings. Little did anyone anticipate that it would later become a special delicacy for tourists visiting Hanoi. The creative twist, with the sweet and sour nuance of fish sauce in the bún chả dish, transforms into a mixed noodle bowl with an entirely different flavor.

Photo: Vu Thu Hoai
Persisting through the years, despite some alterations in taste. However, compared to the original version, the contemporary Bún bò Nam Bộ recipe still captures the distinctive essence from fresh herbs, beef, and a myriad of other toppings. When indulging, a cascade of flavors, the rich sweetness of fish sauce, the refreshing crunch of bean sprouts and raw vegetables, especially the savory touch of beef combined with crispy peanuts.

Photo: Hai Yen
Learn the authentic recipe for preparing Southern-style beef vermicelli with perfection
The dish has evolved over the years, with varying preferences on ingredients. Some stick to the basics like beef, fresh vegetables, vermicelli, roasted peanuts, and bean sprouts. Different regions have distinct styles, so feel free to customize based on personal taste!
Essential ingredients to get started:
| Khẩu phần ăn | Thời gian chuẩn bị | Thời gian chế biến | Đánh giá độ khó |
| 2-3 người | 20 phút | 20 phút | Dễ |

Image: Collected
- Prepare the following ingredients:
300 grams of lean sirloin beef
200 grams of fresh vermicelli noodles
2-3 heads of lettuce, 2-3 cucumber bulbs, 2 carrots, 20g of fresh herbs, 20g of basil, 20g of bean sprouts, 10g of roasted peanuts, 5g of fried shallots, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 onion, 1 horn pepper, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce, 1-2 lemongrass stalks, 30ml of cooking oil, Common spices: seasoning salt, sugar, soy sauce
After draining the meat, use a sharp knife to slice it thinly. For mixed vermicelli, avoid cutting the meat too thick, as it may become tough and challenging to chew when sautéed.
Marinate the meat with:
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon minced lemongrass, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon MSG, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon white wine, 1 teaspoon cooking oil or olive oil
Marinate for 20 minutes before sautéing with onions.
Step 2: Prepare the vegetables

Image: Vu Thu Hoai
- Onions: Clean and peel the layers.
Lettuce, cilantro, mint, basil: Remove stems, wash thoroughly, and pat dry or use the spin-drying method. Then finely chop (not minced) into 1-2 cm pieces for easy mixing with vermicelli.

Image: Vu Thu Hoai
Prepare the fish sauce mixture with the following proportions:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon lime juice or rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon boiling water, a pinch of minced garlic and chili
Stir the mixture well until dissolved and blended.
Step 4: Sautéing Beef with Onions

Photo: Vũ Thu Hoài
It's advisable to sauté the onions separately until they are tender. Avoid sautéing them with the beef from the beginning to prevent excess moisture.
Place the beef on the stove for sautéing. Sauté until it's almost cooked, then add the onions and stir together. Continue stirring until everything is well-cooked, and then turn off the heat.
Step 5: Presentation
To prepare the delicious Southern-style beef vermicelli, start by placing the vermicelli in a bowl. Then, layer the sautéed beef, cucumbers, carrots, various greens, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, and fried shallots (if available). Finally, drizzle the sweet and sour fish sauce over the top and mix well to enjoy immediately.
The finished dish meets the requirements

Photo: Eric Nguyen
Bun Bo Nam Bo stands out with its vibrant and eye-catching colors. The enticing flavors, a harmonious blend of roasted peanuts and fried shallots with beef and onions, make it a quick, convenient dish that anyone can whip up using everyday ingredients.
And there you have it, the delightful Bun Bo Nam Bo, a fragrant and delicious dish that allows you to enjoy a taste of goodness without the need to venture out amidst the current challenging situation. The super simple recipe from Blog Mytour yields unexpectedly impressive results. So why not showcase your culinary skills and treat your family to a delightful meal in the coming days!
Explore more delicious recipes:
- 2 Ways to Cook Well-done Beef Pho
- How to Make Rolled Beef Pho
