Don't be fooled. Although it may look like a million bucks (or so I think), this Vietnamese BBQ shrimp noodle bowl couldn't be simpler to make! Again, I must give credit to where it's due. The inspiration for this dish came from our good friends, Reese and Mark, at Season with Spice, a place where you will find an impressive selection of premium Asian spices. With a desire to introduce people to the rich world of spices and to prove that healthy cooking can be delicious, they set up their online shop back in 2011. Not only do their spices and handcrafted blends make food irresistibly tasty, but they somehow make cooking simpler at the same time. They'll be opening an actual little storefront soon, and we couldn't be happier or more excited for their new venture.
We own several of their flavorful spice blends, including Vietnamese BBQ seasoning which is a mix of Chinese Five Spice, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, and a number of other components. Now try recreating that at home! Their blends are seriously like magic - just a pinch can elevate any ol' boring dish to something that's salivate-worthy.
Just as Reese and Mark suggest, the Vietnamese BBQ seasoning is especially great on meat. Using their recipe as a base, I made some adjustments, mainly because of the ingredients I had on hand.
Note: Remember not to overcook your shrimp! C = Cooked, O = )verdone.
As for the veggies, I leave this decision up to you. You'll notice that even in the recipe, I don't give exact measurements. Add whichever ones you like (bean sprouts would be good!) and as much or as little as you choose.
I used thin flat rice noodles rather than the usual vermicelli because that's what I had on hand (Pad Thai is one of our fav weeknight meals). And thanks to the veggies from our CSA box, I did not have to make an extra trip to the store. Even though I'm fortunate enough to live literally 5 minutes away from a grocery store, somehow that 5 minutes ends up being closer to 30 minutes real time, and that's time that could be better spent on other things - like taking a power nap or catching up on SYTYCD ;).
Let me tell you. Reese and Mark totally hit the nail on the head with their spice blend. Earthy, sweet, salty, spicy...I instantly thought of good grilled BBQ pork banh mi; only instead of pork, firm succulent shrimp was in its place. Throw in the fresh veggies, the briny fish sauce, and some peanuts for crunch, and you've got yourself one light & refreshing meal perfectly suited for the brutal summer months ahead. And if you're feeling really ambitious, egg rolls (normally fried but ours are baked bc as you know, I don't fry anything) tend to go hand in hand with this type of noodle bowl. What a feast!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ - 2 lbs. shrimp
- 2 teaspoon Season with Spice's Vietnamese Spicy BBQ Seasoning
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon honey and sriracha optional
- 8 oz. vermicelli I used thin flat rice noodles
For assembly (per one bowl)
- 4-5 vertically sliced cucumber slices
- ¼ cup Shredded carrots
- 3 tablespoons cilantro
- 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts
- lime wedges
Nuoc Cham
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 garlic minced
- 1 red chile minced
Instructions
- For shrimp: In a bowl, combine shrimp with fish sauce, garlic, and Vietnamese Spicy BBQ
- Seasoning. Coat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In the meanwhile prep vegetables and noodles. For the noodles, place in a heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water on top to submerge completely. Let noodles stand according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- For Nuoc Cham: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat a wok or large frying pan until hot, add oil, and swirl to coat the bottom. Add shrimp (and all the marinade). Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they curl into "c" shape. Once they are done, toss with honey and sriracha if you choose.
- Assemble bowls: Place noodles, veggies, and shrimp, and spoon over dressing (as much or as little as your choose).
Angela says
What incredible flavors! Surely a delicious meal!
The Food Hunter says
great photos!
Chicory App says
Cool recipe! I don't I've ever had this dish in Vietnam but it's definitely worth a try!
We love your blog and recipes. Are you interested in becoming our recipe partner?
Min says
Thank you! Absolutely! I'd love to hear more 😉
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
These bowls are absolutely gorgeous! I wish I could reach through the screen and grab one for dinner right now! Pinned!!
Suzanne says
Hello Min, so nice of you to pop over to my site via Instagram. I am loving your site here, all of your recipes look fantastic! I do love Asian flavors and this salad looks delicious and loaded with flavor. Enjoy your trip to Korea and all the foods from home, how nice you get to go.
Tammy @ creativekkids says
My husband is half Vietnamese, so I picked this recipe to feature on the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party tomorrow. Thanks for linking up!
Min says
Thank you so much for the feature! Hope you guys enjoy this recipe ;).
Min says
Yay! I'm so so excited for you, Barclay! You won't be disappointed. Their spices are incredible. Hope you enjoy this recipe and good luck experimenting in the kitchen. Sounds like you're going to have tons of fun! 😉
Carrie Groneman says
Oh wow, this looks so delish and it is making my mouth water. I want some right now! Thanks for linking up at Wonderful Wed Blog Hop. Carrie, A Mother's Shadow
Maryanne @the little epicurean says
This is making me hungry! I'm going to have to check out that seasoning. By the way, three crabs is my favorite fish sauce to use 🙂
Min says
Thanks, Maryanne! Hehe is there any other kind ;).
Linda Warren says
My husband and I have been on an Asian dinner kick lately - love anything and everything and this looks like the perfect thing to try next. Will have to look for that BBQ seasoning and love the fact that it has sriracha in it (its a new fav of ours). Your photos are great too! Thanks for sharing on Share Your Stuff Tuesdays.
Min says
Yes, the BBQ seasoning is amazing! I think you guys are going to love it. As for sriracha, welcome to the club!
Lori Hart says
What a delicious looking dish! I'm ready to eat a big bowl of it right now. I found you over at the Treasure Box Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it as much as I do. Here is the link https://bit.ly/1l4cu0j. Have a wonderful day!!
Min says
Hi Lori! Thank you so much for the invite! Just linked up ;).
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
This dish definitely looks like a million bucks and I am sure it tastes that good too! The spicy BBQ seasoning sounds incredible. I definitely need to give this recipe a try!
Min says
It was really fun one to photograph as well! Thank you, Ashley, and I sure can't wait for you to try 😉
Sandra | Sandra's Easy Cooking says
Now this looks and sounds incredibly delicious! Love Marks and Reese's spices...the best!!!
This is must try...Pinning for later!!!! Thanks for sharing and have a great week ahead, Min!
Min says
Hi Sandra! Yes, their spices are pretty amazing stuff. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a sweet comment ;). Wishing you an awesome week as well.
Trisha says
I love all the colorful veggies happening here. Pad Thai is a favorite of ours, but I think this is a perhaps healthier alternative! And I feel the same way about grocery stores---I feel so successful when I can cook dinner with what I have on hand and avoid taking a trip!
Min says
Good morning, Trisha! I know! Aren't the colors lovely? Makes food photography a breeze ;). I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I swear I'm not lazy! hehe.
Jelli says
Min, I'm ready to toss the pot of arroz con pollo I've got cooking for lunch to make this instead! It looks so SO yummy. I'm a huge fan of Asian cuisine and spicy and bbq and shrimp.... Goodness, let's just say that if I ever came to your house, I'd take just about any hostess gift you'd request if this dish was sitting on my plate. YUM!
Min says
What? NO! Don't do that! Wish we could swap since we already had some of this ;). Arroz con pollo is def calling my name! 😉
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says
I'll admit I'm NOT a sprout kind of girl but everything else about this bowl screams my name - pinning....
Min says
You def don't have to add the sprouts! I like it for the extra crunch. The sky is the limit with this one when it comes to choosing what veggies to add. Thank you for pinning, Deanna!
Matt Robinson says
This looks absolutely incredible! Love the flavors!!
Min says
Thank you for your continuous support, Matt! Your mac n cheese stuffed meatballs sandwiches on my mind...
Pure Grace Farms says
Oh my! I love everything about this dish. Shrimp and spicy is a great combination!Would be honored if you would stop by the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop and share! Link opens on Tues. 5pm EST.
Blessings...Shari
https://puregracefarms.com/2014/06/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop/
Min says
Thank you for the invite! Will def check it out 😉