Description
This Vietnamese Vermicelli Noodle Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish featuring light rice noodles combined with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy, savory dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or a side dish, it blends traditional flavors like fish sauce, lime, and fresh mint to create a healthy, flavorful meal in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 8 oz vermicelli rice noodles
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cucumber, julienned
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts (optional)
Toppings (Optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup fried shallots
Dressing
- 3 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian option)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 small red chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the noodles are cooling, shred the carrots, julienne the cucumber, and chop the cilantro, mint, and basil to ready the fresh components of the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sugar, minced garlic, chopped chili if using, and water. Adjust seasoning by adding more sugar or lime juice as preferred to balance the flavors.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled vermicelli noodles with the shredded carrots, julienned cucumber, and fresh herbs. Toss well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss again ensuring every ingredient is well coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle chopped peanuts, fried shallots, and bean sprouts on top for added crunch and texture, enhancing the salad’s flavor profile.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the salad immediately for the best texture and freshness, or chill for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari.
- Adjust the level of chili based on your heat preference or omit it for a milder taste.
- Chilling the salad before serving allows flavors to develop richer depth.
- Add protein like grilled shrimp or tofu to make it a more substantial meal.
- Fresh herbs are key to authentic flavor—try to use fresh rather than dried.
