Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl)
Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl) layers springy rice noodles with tender, five-spice–marinated pork, crisp bean sprouts, and fresh herbs for a vibrant, balanced bite. Fragrant garlic and soy lend savory depth while basil and cilantro add brightness, making it ideal for a satisfying lunch or weeknight dinner when you crave bold, fresh flavors.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 53 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 19 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 52 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 44
- Heart Health
- 63
- Metabolic
- 33
- Digestive
- 37
- Inflammatory
- 34
- Performance
- 39
- General Wellness
- 1
Whisk the soy sauce, garlic, five-spice powder, sugar, paprika, and bouillon granules in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add the pork and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- 2
Remove the pork from the marinade and shake off the excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
- 3
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook and stir the pork in the hot oil until browned, 4 to 7 minutes. Add the water; cook and stir until the water evaporates and the pork is cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
- 4
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Rinse the rice noodles under cold water and gently separate them. Submerge the noodles in the boiling water until about half-tender, about 30 seconds. Add the bean sprouts to the water and noodles; continue cooking until the noodles are tender yet slightly firm, about 30 seconds more. Drain.
- 5
Combine the noodles and pork mixture in a large serving dish. Top with the lettuce, green onions, basil, cilantro, and chow mein.
- Calories 776.94 kcal High 39%
- Protein 31.81 g Good Source 64%
- Carbohydrate 150.87 g 55%
- Total Fat 7.47 g Moderate 10%
- Saturated Fat 1.73 g Moderate 9%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 61.22 mg High 20%
- Sodium 878.86 mg High 38%
- Dietary Fiber 3.81 g Moderate 14%
- Total Sugars 1.73 g --
- Added Sugars 0.2 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 70.82 mg Low Source 5%
- Iron 3.42 mg Moderate 19%
- Potassium 839.98 mg Moderate 18%
- Vitamin A 219.21 mcg Good Source 24%
- Vitamin C 5.62 mg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Soy 🌱
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl) is a Vietnamese dinner recipe made with 16 ingredients. It takes about 35 mins, serves 6, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Bean Sprouts, Chicken Bouillon, Chow Mein Noodles, and Five Spice. Each serving provides about 776.94 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl)?
- It is a Vietnamese recipe made with 16 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl) made of?
- The main ingredients are Bean Sprouts, Chicken Bouillon, Chow Mein Noodles, Five-Spice, Fresh Basil. The full list of 16 is above.
- What goes well with Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl)?
- Explore these Vietnamese side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl)?
- About 35 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 776.94 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 16 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl) healthy?
- Cao Lầu (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl) has an easyChef Pro health score of 46/100. Per serving, it provides 776.94 calories and 31.81 g of protein, or 64% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin A. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 878.86 mg (38% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 1.73 g (9% of the Daily Value). It contains Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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