The Vietnamese street food of grilled pork patties served with rice noodles and herbs is bún chả.
Bún chả originated in Hanoi and traditionally features two kinds of grilled pork: seasoned minced-pork patties and pieces of fatty pork belly. The meat is served with soft white rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce made with fish sauce, sugar, vinegar or lime, garlic, and chili.
Unlike many noodle soups, bún chả is not typically served in a large bowl of broth. Diners dip the noodles, pork, and herbs into the sauce, often eating the components together. It is especially associated with lunchtime in Hanoi, although restaurants now serve it throughout the day.
Bún chả is sometimes confused with bún thịt nướng, a Southern Vietnamese dish in which grilled pork is served over noodles and salad. The two share ingredients but are distinct regional preparations. Bún chả also became internationally famous after Barack Obama ate it with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi in 2016.