12 Noodle Bowl Recipes to Make All Year Round

Easy Vietnamese noodle bowls and other Asian noodle bowl recipes you can put together and enjoy all year round.

A bowl of noodles, whether a noodle salad or a noodle soup, always delivers so many flavors and textures. They are often beautiful to look at as well.

By now, Vietnamese cuisine is pretty well known for its vermicelli noodle salads. I’m sharing a list of my favorite Vietnamese vermicelli salads, soba noodle bowls, and easy noodle stir-fries. I also include some signature Vietnamese noodle soups you can try when you are in the mood for something more elaborated.

1. Bun Cha (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Meatballs Noodle Salad)

Bun cha is a dish many of Northern Vietnamese (including me) grew up eating. One can easily smell the irresistible aroma of grilling the meatballs from afar before actually arriving at a bun cha shop. The dish is not difficult to make at home and here’s my authentic bun cha recipe.

Vietnamese Grilled Pork Meatballs with Vermicelli Noodles (Bun Cha) is a classic Northern Vietnamese dish. Bun Cha features flavorful and juicy pork meatballs, vermicelli noodles, plenty of refreshing herbs and traditional lime fish sauce dipping.

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2. Bun Bo Nam Bo/Bun Bo Xao (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad)

This Vietnamese beef vermicelli noodle bowl is a very popular street food dish in Hanoi. Stir-fried beef, colorful vegetables, and refreshing herbs are placed on a bed of soft vermicelli noodles. 

Vietnamese beef noodle salad is packed with fresh herbs, flavorful beef, and refreshing lime fish sauce dressing. It is easy to make, and you can enjoy it either as a main or side dish.

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3. Cha Ca La Vong (Vietnamese Turmeric Fish Noodle Salad)

Cha ca is another iconic Vietnamese vermicelli noodle salad originating from Hanoi. Chunks of flavorful fish are plated on a bed of aromatic green scallions and dill. This dish is definitely a must-try!

Vietnamese turmeric fish with noodles (Cha Ca La Vong) is a delicious and iconic dish of Hanoi. Chunks of flavorful fish are plated on a bed of aromatic green scallions and dill, boasting unique dining experience.

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4. Bun Thit Xao (Vietnamese Pork Noodle Salad)

This Southern Vietnamese pork noodle bowl features pork stir-fried with lemongrass and beansprouts, rice vermicelli noodles, cucumber, lettuce, and herbs. A light yet flavorful and filling noodle salad. In case you can’t find beansprouts, you can substitute with sauteed onions.

Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Noodle Salad (Bun Thit Xao) features pork stir-fried with lemongrass and beansprouts, rice vermicelli noodles, cucumber, lettuce, and herbs. Everything is tossed with nuoc cham dressing to make a light yet flavorful and filling bowl of noodle salad.

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5. Vietnamese Spring Rolls Noodle Bowl

Crispy fried spring rolls (nem ran/cha gio) are served with rice vermicelli noodles, soft lettuce, fresh herbs and nuoc cham dressing. The rolls can take some time to eat, but you can prepare a big batch and freeze for later.

Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls are delicious with crispy exterior and flavorful filling. This dish is a must in any traditional Vietnamese banquets or celebrations. Learn the authentic way to make them as well as tips to ensure they turn out golden and crispy.

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6. Salmon Soba Noodle Bowl

This Salmon Soba Noodle Salad features seared salmon fillets with crispy skin over soba noodles and green vegetables. It is served with a refreshing ginger citrus dressing.

This Salmon Soba Noodle Salad features moist medium-cooked salmon fillets with crispy skin over soba noodles and vegetables. Served with a ginger dressing, this delicious and healthy salad can be a full meal ready in under 30 minutes.

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7. Beef Soba Noodle Bowl

This Spicy Beef Soba Noodle Salad features beef, soba noodles, lots of fresh and crisp vegetables, and a spicy gochujang dressing inspired by Korean flavors. You can put it together in just 30 minutes.

This Spicy Beef Soba Noodle Salad is not only easy to make but also healthy and fulfilling. It features beef, soba noodle, lots of fresh and crisp vegetables and a spicy dressing inspired by Korean flavors.

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8. Vietnamese Beef Pasta Stir-fry (Nui Xao Bo)

This Southern Vietnamese pasta dish is composed of pasta, beef and your choice of vegetables, all coated with a tasty savory sauce. You can use different kinds of vegetables for textures and colors. 

Vietnamese Beef Pasta Stir-Fry (Nui Xao Bo) is composed of pasta, beef and your choice of vegetables, all coated with a tasty savory sauce. This quick and easy stir-fried pasta is great for any meals of the day.

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9. Vietnamese Crab Glass Noodles (Mien Xao Cua)

Mien xao cua is a must-have dish in my family’s traditional banquets for special occasions. Soft glass noodles are stir-fried with delicate crab meat and crunchy vegetables.

Mien Xao Cua (Crab Cellophane Noodles Stir-fry) is a traditional Vietnamese dish. It is incredibly delicious with the natural sweetness of crab meat, soft translucent glass noodles, crunchy vegetables, and refreshing lime fish sauce dressing.

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10. Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Pho Noodle Soup)

Now we talk about the national dish of Vietnam. You will find all the tips you need to make an authentic bowl of beef pho. The broth can be kept frozen very well, so make a big batch and freeze for busy days.

Phở Bò (Vietnamese Beef Pho Noodle Soup) is the national dish of Vietnam, a dish that many Vietnamese hold dear to their heart. Learn the authentic way to make beef pho and serve it like a true Vietnamese.

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11. Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Pho Noodle Soup)

Pho ga is lighter and less labor-intensive to make than pho bo. That doesn’t mean it is less delicious. I also have a chicken vermicelli noodle soup version besides chicken pho.

Pho Ga Hanoi (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup) is a true classic of Vietnamese cuisine. Light yet flavorful, simple yet sophisticated, this fragrant noodle soup can warm your heart and soul.

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12. Mi Vit Tiem (Vietnamese Duck Noodle Soup)

Mi vit tiem is a special noodle soup of Saigon. What sets it apart from other noodle soups in Vietnamese cuisine is its dark broth and strong flavors. A bowl of mi vit tiem often consists of yellow noodles in a dark broth and a fall-off-the-bone duck leg.

Vietnamese Duck Noodle Soup (Mi Vit Tiem) features slippery noodles, fall-off-the-bone duck legs, and a dark broth.

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New recipes are added every week so let’s connect on Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates. You can find my collection of Vietnamese recipes here.