Cao Lau Style Pork and Herb Noodle Bowls with Pho Broth
Sliced five spice pork over chewy noodles with crisp salad and a little rich broth spooned over, inspired by Hoi An.
Made with Pho broth. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.40 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
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 five spice, tamari, honey and garlic. Rub over the pork and leave for 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
30 min - 2
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Heat the oil in an ovenproof pan over a high heat and sear the pork for 3 minutes on each side.
- 3
Roast the pork for 15 to 20 minutes until the juices run clear and the middle is no longer pink. Rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly.
20 min - 4
Cook the rice noodles following the packet until just tender, rinse under cold water and drain well.
- 5
Warm your ready made pho broth (see the base recipe) in a small pan until steaming hot.
- 6
Divide the noodles between bowls and top with the pork, beansprouts, cucumber and herbs. Spoon over a little warm broth, serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Use a cooking thermometer if you have one. Pork tenderloin is done at 63 degrees C in the middle after resting.
- Do not drown the noodles. Cao lau is served with just a little liquid, not as a soup.
- Chinese five spice is usually gluten free, but check the label.
- Add a handful of crushed salted peanuts for crunch if nobody has a nut allergy.
Storing and freezing
Keep the cooked pork in the fridge for up to 2 days. Assemble the bowls fresh and reheat the broth until steaming hot.
Questions
Is this an authentic cao lau?
It is inspired by it. Real cao lau from Hoi An uses special noodles made with local water and ash, which are hard to find in the UK, so thick rice noodles stand in.
Can I use chicken instead?
Yes. Thinly sliced chicken thighs cook through in 15 minutes in the oven. Check they are cooked all the way through with no pink.
Is it dairy free?
Yes, there is no dairy in any of the ingredients.
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.