In a bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, honey, minced garlic, and shallots. Rub the marinade thoroughly onto the pork and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, ideally for a few hours.
Vietnamese Cao Lầu (Hoi An Noodles)
- Total time - 1.5 hours
- Preparation - 20 minutes
- Cooking time - 40-60 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Country: Vietnam
While authentic Cao Lầu noodles are inimitable, you can create a delicious version at home. The key is flavorful pork and a harmonious combination of fresh herbs, which is typical for this dish. It's an ideal choice if you're looking for something different from a traditional noodle soup.
Ingredients
For the Pork and Broth
- 500 g pork loin or shoulder, cut into thick slices
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- garlic and shallots, minced
- 0.5 cup water or pork broth for the sauce
For Serving
- 400 g Cao Lầu noodles or fresh Japanese udon/soba noodles
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, perilla), chopped
- lettuce leaves
- fried rice crackers or pork cracklings
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the pork
Step 2: Cook the pork and prepare the sauce
In a pan with a little oil, sear the marinated pork on all sides until browned. Reduce the heat, pour in the remaining marinade and half a cup of water. Cover and simmer until the pork is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Slice the pork.
Step 3: Prepare the noodles and toppings
Cook the noodles according to instructions. Prepare the bean sprouts, herbs, and lettuce. In a pan, fry the croutons or cracklings until crispy.
Step 4: Assemble the dish
Place a portion of the noodles in a deep bowl. Top with slices of the cooked pork. Add a generous amount of bean sprouts, herbs, and lettuce. Garnish with the crunchy topping. Ladle a small amount of the warm sauce over the noodles.
Step 5: Serve
Serve immediately. Before eating, mix all ingredients together to combine the flavors.