Homemade Vietnamese Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm (Easy Recipe)

With its chewy noodles, savory broth, and mix of pork and shrimp, Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm represents the diverse flavors of Vietnamese cuisine in one comforting dish. This popular noodle soup combines pork and shrimp forcemeat cakes with fresh bánh canh noodles immersed in a deeply flavored, umami-rich broth. It’s a favorite for any time of day – equally satisfying for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The complex broth with delicate noodles and bouncy cakes makes each bite of Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm an exploration. Follow this guide to learn the secrets behind preparing the components for incredible flavor in every slurp. Discover how to source and cook the essential Vietnamese ingredients to create an authentic and unforgettable bowl of Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm.

Understanding Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm

First, the name – Bánh canh refers to the thick, chewy noodles made from a mixture of rice and tapioca flours. Giò heo are fried pork cakes. Tôm means shrimp. Together, they make a symphony for the senses.

The star is the savory, subtly sweet broth perfumed with warm spices like cinnamon and star anise. It provides a rich base, absorbing flavors from the pork and shrimp cakes. The delicate but substantial bánh canh noodles provide satisfying, toothsome chew. Every component builds incredible depth and complexity.

Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm reflects Vietnam’s cuisine through its layers of flavor. It shows reverence for simple but powerful ingredients like pork, shrimp, and noodles elevated by aromatic spices. For many, it stirs up nostalgic memories of the Vietnamese home kitchen.

Essential Ingredients for Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm

• Bánh canh noodles – The foundation. Sold fresh or dried, their subtly chewy texture comes from a blend of rice and tapioca flours. Fresh noodles are ideal but dried work too.
• Broth – Lemongrass, shallots, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, shrimp paste, and warm spices like cinnamon and star anise are simmered for a complex savory base.
• Pork – Ground pork flavored with wood ear mushrooms, shallots, fish sauce, and pepper is key for the giò heo cakes.
• Shrimp – Fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined, add subtle sweetness.

Preparing the Ingredients

• Noodles – For fresh, simply untangle and rinse. For dried, soak in warm water for 30 minutes until pliable, then rinse. Briefly boil ahead of assembly.
• Broth – Char aromatics like lemongrass, onions, and ginger before simmering with spices for 1-2 hours. Strain and season broth.
• Giò heo – Combine ground pork with diced wood ears, shallots, fish sauce, and white pepper. Form into small patties and fry until browned and cooked through.
• Shrimp – Marinate peeled shrimp briefly in oil, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan fry until opaque and just cooked.

Assembling and Serving Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm

To assemble bowls of Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm:

• Place a portion of bánh canh noodles in the bottom of a deep bowl.
• Arrange giò heo and shrimp atop noodles.
• Ladle hot broth over everything until completely submerged.

Garnish with sliced green onions, cilantro, lime wedges, chili sauce, and bean sprouts. Provide extra broth on the side.

For added flavor, stir in sliced pork belly, fresh herbs, or dollops of chili garlic sauce. Top with crispy shallots or garlic chips.

Tips and Tricks from Experienced Cooks

• Charring aromatics like onions and ginger adds deeper flavor to the broth.
• Boil bánh canh noodles briefly before serving to achieve the perfect tender but chewy texture.
• Add aroma and flavor with extras like lemongrass, tamarind, or shrimp heads to the broth.

Conclusion: Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm

Mastering Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm requires care and attention to each component – the spiced broth, chewy noodles, savory pork and shrimp cakes. Source high quality Vietnamese ingredients when possible. But the effort pays off in an intricate, comforting soup that satisfies all the senses. Making Bánh Canh Giò Heo Tôm connects you with the creativity of Vietnamese home cooks through the centuries. Share a steaming bowl with friends and family for a taste of Vietnam in your own kitchen.