Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal – A Traditional Vietnamese Breakfast Delight

Vietnamese cuisine is filled with hidden gems, and one of the most underrated yet incredibly delicious dishes is “Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal” (Banh Hoi Long Heo). This specialty, particularly famous in Ninh Thuan and Binh Dinh provinces, is a must-try breakfast dish that combines soft rice vermicelli sheets with tender pork offal, fresh greens, and a flavorful dipping sauce.

If you’re looking for an authentic local food experience, steamed vermicelli with pork offal is a dish that captures the essence of Vietnamese street food—simple, delicate, yet full of bold flavors.

1. What Makes Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal Special?

At first glance, steamed vermicelli may resemble rice vermicelli (Bun), but its delicate, lacy texture and soft, airy consistency set it apart. Made from finely ground rice flour, these thin vermicelli sheets are skillfully arranged into small bundles, and brushed lightly with scallion oil to enhance their aroma and taste.

Unlike other noodle dishes, steamed vermicelli is typically served dry, accompanied by a selection of side dishes, including:

• Pork Offal – A mix of boiled pork intestines, heart, stomach, and liver, all carefully prepared for a tender and non-gamey taste.
• Boiled Pork Belly – Thinly sliced, juicy, and rich in flavor.
• Fresh Herbs & Vegetables – Lettuce, bean sprouts, basil, and cucumbers, providing freshness and balance.
• Rice Paper (Optional) – For those who want to wrap everything into a fresh roll.
• Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce Dip) – A sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy fish sauce that ties the whole dish together.

This dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a beautiful representation of Vietnamese culinary artistry.

2. How Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal is Made

Although this dish looks simple, preparing it requires precision and experience, especially when handling pork offal, which needs to be properly cleaned and cooked for the best texture and flavor.

🍽️ Ingredients:

• Rice Vermicelli Sheets – Soft, thin, and airy.
• Pork Offal – Intestines, stomach, heart, and liver, cleaned and boiled to perfection.
• Boiled Pork Belly – Sliced thinly for extra richness.
• Fresh Herbs & Vegetables – Lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, coriander, cucumbers.
• Scallion Oil – Enhances the fragrance of the steamed vermicelli.
• Rice Paper (Optional) – For rolling the ingredients.
• Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Mam) – A mixture of fish sauce, lime, sugar, garlic, and chili.

👨‍🍳 Cooking Process:

• 1️⃣ Preparing the Pork Offal – The intestines, stomach, heart, and liver are cleaned multiple times with salt and vinegar before being boiled to remove any strong odors. Once cooked, they are sliced thinly for easy consumption.
• 2️⃣ Cooking steamed vermicelli – The rice vermicelli sheets are steamed for softness and brushed with scallion oil for added fragrance.
• 3️⃣ Making the Dipping Sauce – A balanced mix of fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, and chili creates a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.
• 4️⃣ Assembling the Dish – The steamed vermicelli is placed on a plate alongside the pork offal, pork belly, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce, ready to be enjoyed.

3. How to Eat

There are two main ways to enjoy Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal, depending on personal preference:

🍽️ 1. Eat it as a plated dish:

• Pick up a portion of steamed vermicelli, add a slice of pork belly or offal, dip it into the fish sauce, and enjoy the perfect balance of flavors.
• Combine with fresh herbs and vegetables for a refreshing contrast.

🌯 2. Wrap it in rice paper for a DIY roll:

• Place steamed vermicelli, pork, herbs, and cucumber onto a sheet of rice paper.
• Roll it up tightly, dip it in fish sauce, and enjoy!

Both methods allow you to experience the delicate textures and rich flavors of the dish in different ways.

4. Where to Try Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal in Ninh Thuan

If you’re visiting Ninh Thuan, here are some of the best places to try Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal:

• Nga rice vermicelli – My Huong, Phan Rang–Thap Cham, Ninh Thuan (traditional flavors, well-prepared pork offal).
• Ms. Dung rice vermicelli – Phuoc Thuan, Ninh Phuoc District, Ninh Thuan (crispy pork belly, aromatic scallion oil).
• Pork Belly Cake rice vermicelli – 111 Da Tree, Khanh Hai Town, Ninh Hai (light, airy steamed vermicelli with rich fish sauce).
• Xua rice vermicelli – HX8J+F5J, QL1A, Phuoc Thuan, Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Thuan
• Phuoc Khanh rice vermicelli: Qua – AH1, Phuoc Thuan, Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Thuan

Each of these eateries offers an authentic taste of Ninh Thuan’s local cuisine, where food is prepared with care, tradition, and a deep connection to the region’s culture.

5. Why You Should Try Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal in Vietnam

• A unique Vietnamese breakfast dish that differs from the usual pho or banh mi.
• A perfect balance of textures and flavors – soft, chewy, crunchy, and rich.
• A great way to experience traditional Vietnamese food culture, often enjoyed in a communal setting.
• Widely available yet often overlooked by tourists, making it a true hidden gem of Vietnamese cuisine.

Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal is not just food—it’s an experience, a reflection of Vietnam’s diverse and intricate culinary heritage. If you want to explore the lesser-known yet authentic flavors of Vietnam, this dish should be at the top of your list!

💬 Have you ever tried Steamed Vermicelli with Pork Offal? Let us know your thoughts! Would you try it on your next trip to Vietnam? 🚀🍽️