Vietnamese cucumber noodle salad recipes

## 1. The Traditional "Bún" Bowl

This is a classic street-food style where the cucumbers provide a refreshing crunch against soft rice noodles.

### **The Build**

* **The Noodles:** Thin rice vermicelli, cooked, rinsed in cold water, and drained well.

* **The Cucumbers:** Persian or English cucumbers, sliced into thin coins or "matchsticks."

* **The Aromatics:** A massive amount of fresh **mint, cilantro, and Thai basil**.

* **The Crunch:** Crushed toasted peanuts and crispy fried shallots.

* **Pickled Element:** Shredded carrots and daikon (pickled in sugar and vinegar).

### **The "Essential" Nước Chấm Dressing**

Whisk until the sugar dissolves:

* 3 tbsp Warm water

* 2 tbsp Sugar

* 2 tbsp Fish sauce (use a high-quality brand like Red Boat)

* 1.5 tbsp Lime juice

* 1 clove Garlic (finely minced)

* 1 tsp Sambal Oelek or finely chopped Bird's Eye chili.

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## 2. The Modern "Cucumber Noodle" Salad (Low Carb)

In this version, the cucumber *is* the noodle. It’s incredibly refreshing for a hot day.

### **The Ingredients**

* **The Noodles:** Use a spiralizer or a julienne peeler to turn 2 large English cucumbers into long, noodle-like strands.

> **Pro-Tip:** Salt the cucumber noodles and let them sit in a colander for 10 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water. This prevents the salad from becoming a soup.

* **The Protein:** Chilled poached shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken.

* **The Color:** Thinly sliced red radishes and scallions.

* **The Dressing:** Use the **Nước Chấm** recipe above, but add a teaspoon of **Toasted Sesame Oil** for a deeper aroma.

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## Tips for Plating Art

* **The "Twirl":** Just like pasta, use a carving fork to twirl the cucumber or rice noodles into a tall, tight nest in the center of a shallow bowl.

* **Herb Freshness:** Don't chop the herbs too finely, or they will bruise and turn black. Tear them by hand right before serving to keep the oils fragrant and the colors bright.

* **Contrast:** Use a dark-colored bowl (dark blue or charcoal) to make the bright green of the cucumbers and the orange of the carrots pop.

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### Style Comparison

| Feature | Traditional Bún Bowl | Modern Cucumber Noodle |

| --- | --- | --- |

| **Main Texture** | Soft & Chewy | Crisp & Snappy |

| **Carb Level** | Hearty (Rice Noodles) | Very Low (Veggie-based) |

| **Flavor Profile** | Balanced & Filling | Ultra-Bright & Hydrating |

| **Best For** | A full dinner | A side dish or light lunch |