Bún Mắm Nêm
Bún Mắm Nêm is a vibrant Vietnamese dish featuring rice vermicelli noodles topped with a rich, flavorful fish sauce dressing, fresh herbs, and a medley of vegetables. This Paleo version replaces traditional ingredients with wholesome, nutrient-dense options, making it both delicious and healthy.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Vietnamese
450 kcal
Ingredients
- Rice vermicelli noodles - 100g
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined - 150g
- Pork belly, thinly sliced - 100g
- Cucumber, julienned - 1 small
- Carrot, julienned - 1 medium
- Lettuce leaves - 4 large
- Fresh mint leaves - 1/2 cup
- Fresh cilantro - 1/2 cup
- Fish sauce (Paleo-friendly) - 4 tbsp
- Lime juice - 2 tbsp
- Garlic, minced - 1 clove
- Chili, sliced (optional) - 1 small
- Coconut sugar (or alternative sweetener) - 1 tsp
- Salt - to taste
- Black pepper - to taste
- Water - 1 liter
Steps
- Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the sliced pork belly over medium heat until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside with the pork.
- In a bowl, mix together the fish sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, coconut sugar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- To assemble, place lettuce leaves on the bottom of each bowl, followed by a portion of rice vermicelli noodles.
- Top with cooked pork belly, shrimp, julienned cucumber, and carrot.
- Drizzle the dressing over the top and garnish with fresh mint, cilantro, and chili slices if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Paleo Bún Mắm Nêm!
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
- Total Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in protein from shrimp and pork, promoting muscle health.
- Packed with fresh vegetables and herbs, providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Tags
VietnamesePaleoDinner