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The Ultimate Guide to Ninh Binh’s Square Vermicelli and Grilled Pork: A Hanoi Delicacy Selling 400 Servings a Day

In the heart of Le Van Thiem Street, Thanh Xuan, lies a hidden gem of a restaurant - 'King of Ninh Binh Bun Cha'. This unassuming eatery boasts a unique take on the classic Vietnamese dish, Bun Cha. The star of the show here is their square-shaped grilled pork patties, a delicious twist on the traditional round patties. But that's not all; they also serve their mouthwatering dish with vermicelli noodles instead of the usual rice noodles, adding a fun texture contrast to the dish. If you're looking for a tasty adventure, be sure to check out this spot!

Administrator

8 June, 2024

If you’re in the Le Van Thiem street area of Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi, you’ll find a famous Ninh Binh bun cha restaurant. This unique dish features square-shaped grilled pork patties, each costing around 50,000 VND, and is served with leaf noodles instead of the usual rice vermicelli. Join us as we explore ‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’ on Le Van Thiem street in Thanh Xuan!

1 Introducing ‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’, Le Van Thiem, Thanh Xuan

Introducing ‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’, Le Van Thiem, Thanh Xuan

Restaurant Quality: 4.2/5 (Rated by Google)

Address: 1 P. Le Van Thiem, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi

Opening Hours: 06:30 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:30 (Usually busy at 12:00 – 13:00)

Price Range: 50,000 – 100,000 VND

Phone Number: 0946052386

Facebook: Vua Bun Cha – Bun Cha Ninh Binh

Delivery: Available (Shopee Food)

Menu: Bun cha, banh cuon cha, bun cha nem, large cha, etc.

Signature Dish: Bun Cha (Around 50,000 VND)

Pros: Spacious restaurant, delicious food, reasonable prices

Cons: Long wait times during peak hours

‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’ on Le Van Thiem street is a restaurant specializing in Ninh Binh-style bun cha. It is located at 1 Le Van Thiem, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, near Hanoi University.

The restaurant boasts a spacious, airy, and clean environment. The tables and chairs are neatly arranged, and there is both indoor and outdoor seating.

The bun cha here is very special. It is made from fresh pork, minced and marinated with typical Ninh Binh spices such as fish sauce, MSG, and basil powder. Instead of grilling round meatballs, the restaurant shapes the meat into small squares, grills them, and then cuts them into bars to serve to customers. The cha is grilled over charcoal, giving it a golden color, a crispy exterior, and a tender, sweet interior.

Ms. Trang, the owner, shared that the restaurant has been open for two years. The square-shaped cha is how many customers distinguish Ninh Binh bun cha from Hanoi bun cha.

The square-shaped cha is how customers distinguish Ninh Binh bun cha from Hanoi bun cha.

2 What Makes ‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’, Le Van Thiem, Thanh Xuan So Appealing to Customers?

Square-shaped Cha Served with Leaf Noodles Instead of Rice Vermicelli

Unlike the typical Hanoi bun cha, which consists of rice noodles, grilled pork patties, and a bowl of spicy, sweet, and sour fish sauce, ‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’ serves square-shaped cha with leaf noodles instead of rice vermicelli. This dish is called Ninh Binh bun cha or fan-shaped bun cha.

Ms. Trang shared that Hanoi bun cha usually uses sliced or round patties. Ninh Binh bun cha also shapes the meat into patties, but they are arranged into large square blocks, weighing around 400-450 grams each, and then grilled over hot coals.

The cha is grilled to order, ensuring freshness and a delightful aroma.

The cha is grilled to order, ensuring that each customer receives a freshly grilled, aromatic dish. The outside of the cha has a caramelized color and crispy edges, while the inside remains moist and tender.

Ms. Trang’s secret recipe calls for a combination of pork shoulder, pork butt, and fat in the right proportions. After mincing the meat, it is mixed with fish sauce, MSG, and basil powder. The basil powder gives the cha a distinctive aroma, and the meat is not marinated with lemongrass.

Not only does Ninh Binh bun cha differ in the shape of the cha and the grilling method, but it also uses a different type of noodle. Instead of the small, tangled rice vermicelli used in Hanoi bun cha, Ninh Binh bun cha is served with leaf noodles cut into bite-sized pieces.

Ninh Binh bun cha is served with leaf noodles, a unique twist to the dish.

Serving 300-400 Dishes Daily, This Restaurant is a Favorite Among Office Workers

A typical serving of bun cha at ‘Vua Bun Cha Ninh Binh’ costs between 40,000 and 55,000 VND. The standard serving includes leaf noodles, one bar of cha (each square can be divided into three bars), fresh herbs, and fish sauce. The fish sauce is mixed according to the restaurant’s unique recipe and is served with some papaya on the side.

During lunchtime, the restaurant is bustling with customers, especially office workers. Here are some reviews from satisfied customers:

“The bun cha here is delicious. The cha is grilled to perfection, and the meat is tender and flavorful. The restaurant is spacious and clean, and the staff is attentive.” – Nguyen Thi Lan, 25 years old, office worker
“I love the Ninh Binh bun cha here. The cha is grilled just right, neither burnt nor dry. The prices are reasonable, making it an excellent choice for students.” – Tran Van Nam, 20 years old, Hanoi University student
“The restaurant is airy and comfortable. The Ninh Binh bun cha is delicious, with well-marinated and grilled cha. I will definitely come back.” – Nguyen Thi Hang, 30 years old, homemaker

The restaurant serves 300-400 dishes daily, making it a popular choice for office workers.

This is all the information we have gathered about ‘Vua Bun Cha’ on Le Van Thiem street in Thanh Xuan district, known for its unique Ninh Binh fan-shaped bun cha. If you’re looking for a different bun cha experience, be sure to visit 1 P. Le Van Thiem, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi!