Delicious Vietnamese Diet-Friendly Noodle Recipes

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and health-conscious dishes that often feature noodles as a staple. If you're looking to explore delicious, diet-friendly noodle recipes, you're in the right place! Here are some delightful options that are not only scrumptious but also light on calories.

1. Pho Chay (Vegetarian Pho)

Pho Chay is a comforting vegetarian noodle soup that captures the essence of traditional pho without the meat. The star of this dish is the rice noodles, which are served in a savory vegetable broth infused with star anise, cinnamon, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

  • Rice noodles (bánh phở)
  • Vegetable broth
  • Fresh bean sprouts
  • Basil leaves
  • Lime wedges
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chili peppers (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the vegetable broth by simmering with spices for about an hour.
  2. Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions.
  3. In serving bowls, add cooked noodles and pour hot broth over them.
  4. Top with bean sprouts, basil, green onions, and chili peppers, then serve with lime wedges.

2. Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork Noodle Salad)

Bun Thit Nuong is a refreshing and vibrant dish that showcases grilled pork over vermicelli noodles. For a diet-friendly version, you can substitute pork with grilled chicken or tofu.

Ingredients:

  • Vermicelli noodles (bún)
  • Marinated grilled chicken/tofu
  • Sliced cucumber
  • Carrots (julienned)
  • Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro)
  • Crushed peanuts
  • Nước chấm (Vietnamese dipping sauce)

Instructions:

  1. Cook vermicelli noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
  2. Grill the marinated chicken or tofu until cooked through.
  3. In a bowl, layer the noodles, grilled protein, cucumber, carrots, and fresh herbs.
  4. Drizzle with nước chấm and top with crushed peanuts before serving.

3. Mi Xao Hai San (Vietnamese Stir-Fried Noodles with Seafood)

Mi Xao Hai San is a delightful stir-fried noodle dish packed with seafood and vegetables. This recipe can easily be made lighter by using whole wheat noodles or skipping heavy sauces.

Ingredients:

  • Egg noodles (mì)
  • Assorted seafood (shrimp, squid, fish)
  • Bell peppers
  • Carrots
  • Garlic (minced)
  • Soy sauce or tamari

Instructions:

  1. Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions and set aside.
  2. In a pan, sauté garlic until fragrant, then add seafood and vegetables.
  3. Stir-fry until the seafood is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. Add noodles and soy sauce; toss well to combine. Serve hot.

4. Bánh Hỏi (Vietnamese Fine Rice Vermicelli)

Bánh Hỏi is a dish made from fine rice vermicelli, often served with a variety of grilled meats. For a healthy variant, try pairing it with grilled chicken or tofu and a fresh herb salad.

Ingredients:

  • Fine rice vermicelli (bánh hỏi)
  • Grilled chicken or tofu
  • Fresh herbs (basil, mint)
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Crushed peanuts
  • Fish sauce (optional)

Instructions: