Bun Moc (Vietnamese Pork Meatball Noodle Soup)
Soft ginger and spring onion pork meatballs float in a clear, savoury broth with rice vermicelli, mushrooms and fresh herbs.
Made with Pho broth. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.06 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the pork mince with the spring onions, ginger, fish sauce, cornflour and pepper. Beat with a spoon for 2 minutes until sticky, then wet your hands and shape into 20 small balls.
- 2
Soak the vermicelli in boiling water for 4 minutes, then drain and divide between 4 bowls.
4 min - 3
Bring your ready made pho broth (see the base recipe) to a gentle simmer in a wide pan.
- 4
Lower the meatballs in one by one. Cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes until firm and cooked all the way through, with no pink inside.
9 min - 5
Add the mushrooms and pak choi and simmer for 2 minutes.
2 min - 6
Ladle the soup and meatballs over the noodles and top with coriander and spring onion greens.
Tips
- Beat the mince well so the meatballs hold together and stay bouncy.
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer. A hard boil can break the meatballs and cloud the soup.
- Shape the meatballs the same size so they cook evenly.
- Add some chopped dried shrimp for a more traditional flavour.
Storing and freezing
Keep the meatballs and broth in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze the cooked meatballs separately for up to 2 months.
Questions
What is bun moc?
It is a northern Vietnamese noodle soup with small pork meatballs, often with mushrooms, in a light broth, served with rice vermicelli.
Can I use chicken or turkey mince?
Yes. Chicken or turkey mince works well, but add a splash of oil to the mixture as lean mince can be dry. Cook until no pink remains.
Is it gluten free?
Yes. Cornflour binds the meatballs, so no flour or breadcrumbs are needed. Use a gluten free fish sauce.
More made with pho broth
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
