Vietnamese Crispy Pork Belly with Fine Rice Vermicelli

Heo Quay Bánh Hỏi (Vietnamese Crispy Pork Belly with Fine Rice Vermicelli Sheets) is a Southern Vietnamese specialty. Tender pork belly with blistered crackling skin is served with soft rice vermicelli, lettuce, fresh herbs and nước chấm dressing.

📝 Ingredients

• 24 oz pork belly slab with skin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1/4 teaspoon rice vinegar
• coarse salt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar ((to taste))
• 2 teaspoons lime juice ((to taste))
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• fine rice vermicelli sheets ((See Notes for more details))
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1 cup thinly sliced green scallions
• roasted peanuts, lightly crushed
• chopped soft green lettuce
• a mix of fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, Thai basil

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Roast the Pork Belly ---
2. 2Pat dry the pork belly and use a sharp knife to score the skin lightly in a crosshatch pattern or prick it all over with a fork or something with a sharp tip.
3. 3Mix together the salt, pepper and five-spice powder, and rub the meat side with this mixture. Leave the skin dry and unseasoned.
4. 4Let the pork rest uncovered, skin side up in a cool place on the counter for about an hour or in the refrigerator overnight to dry the skin.
5. 5Preheat the oven to 390℉ (200℃).
6. 6Lightly brush the pork skin with a little of rice vinegar. Wrap the meat side tightly with foil, leaving only the skin exposed. Spread a layer of coarse salt (about ⅓–½ cup) evenly over the skin.
7. 7Place the wrapped pork on a wired rack over a baking sheet and then roast in the oven for 1 hour.
8. 8After roasting for an hour, take the pork belly out of the oven and carefully remove the salt crust.
9. 9Increase the heat to 410℉ (210℃) and return the pork (still wrapped in the foil) to the oven. Roast for another 30 minutes or until the skin is golden and blistered and the meat is tender.
10. 10--- Prepare the Accompaniments while Roasting the Pork ---
11. 11Combine all ingredients for the dressing and adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
12. 12Prepare the fine rice vermicelli sheets according to package instructions.
13. 13In a small saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped scallions and stir briefly. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl.
14. 14--- Assemble and Serve ---
15. 15Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before handling. Then chop into bite-sized pieces.
16. 16On a large platter, layer the bánh hỏi sheets and drizzle scallion oil and sprinkle roasted peanuts. Top with pieces of pork belly.
17. 17Serve with lettuce, fresh herbs and dressing on the side.