Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Lemongrass Beef Noodle Soup)

Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Lemongrass Beef Noodle Soup)

Illustration generated by AI. The recipe is hand-curated and checked by MealPrep's allergen, diet and nutrition rules.

Vietnamese · 120 min · Beef · dairy-free, high-protein

534 cal 35g protein 58g carbs 18g fat per serving · estimated

Ingredients

scaled from 4 servings
  • 3/4 lb beef shank
  • 5 oz thick round rice noodles (bun bo)
  • 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
  • 1/2 tbsp fermented shrimp paste (mam ruoc)
  • 1 tbsp annatto oil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp chili-lemongrass paste
  • 1 onion, halved
  • to serve lime wedges and herbs
  • 1 cup bean sprouts

Method (tap to check — screen stays awake)

  1. Parboil beef shank 5 minutes, drain, and rinse.
  2. Add shank, lemongrass, and onion to a pot with 3 quarts water and simmer gently for at least 1.5 hours, up to 2, until the shank is tender enough to slice.
  3. Dissolve shrimp paste in a ladle of broth, strain, and stir back in with fish sauce and annatto oil.
  4. Stir in chili-lemongrass paste to taste and keep the broth at a gentle simmer.
  5. Cook the thick rice noodles in boiling water 6-8 minutes, drain, and divide among bowls.
  6. Slice the beef and lay over the noodles, then ladle hot broth on top.
  7. Serve with bean sprouts, herbs, and lime.

Nutrition figures are estimates. Verify allergens on every ingredient label before cooking.

Liked this? Get a week of them.

Answer three questions and we'll build a week of dinners around how you eat — with one grocery list for all of it. No account, no card.

Build my week →

Or turn any recipe link into a grocery list — no sign-up for that either.

← Browse the cookbook

Want Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Lemongrass Beef Noodle Soup) for six, or something like it tonight?