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Are you looking for an interesting Vietnamese dish to add to your repertoire? Cha Ca La Vong is a unique and flavorful fish dish that is definitely worth trying. This recipe is simple to follow and doesn’t require many ingredients, so it’s perfect for novice cooks. Plus, your relatives and acquaintances will be impressed with the outcome. Give this recipe a shot today!

What is the Cha Ca La Vong?
The Cha Ca La Vong is a soup dish that hails from the Vietnamese city of Hanoi. It is made with fish that is marinated in a turmeric-infused mixture, then pan-fried and simmered in a dashi broth. The soup is typically served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and bean sprouts.
This dish is said to date back to the 19th century, when it was created by the La Vong restaurant. The restaurant was located near a dock where fishermen would bring their catch of the day. The owner of the restaurant would then create this soup using whatever fish he had on hand.
While the Cha Ca La Vong may be associated with Hanoi, it has since spread to other parts of Vietnam and is now enjoyed by people all over the world.
If you’re looking to try this soup for yourself, you can find Cha Ca La Vong recipes online or in cookbooks specializing in Vietnamese cuisine. Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, the soup comes together relatively quickly and easily.
Cha Ca La Vong Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make Cha Ca La Vong:
- 1 pound fish fillets (traditionally, catfish is used, but you can also use other white-fleshed fish such as tilapia or bass)
- 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 cups dashi broth (or chicken broth)
- 1/2 pound rice noodles
For the garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped scallions
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the fish fillets, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- In a big pot, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the marinated fish fillets and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Add the dashi broth (or chicken broth) to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the rice noodles and cook for about 5 minutes, or until tender.
- Garnish with scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges. Serve hot.
How to Make Sure that Your Cha Ca La Vong Sauce Doesn’t Get Too Thick?
When you are cooking your cha ca la vong, it is important to make sure that the sauce does not get too thick. This can be a problem if you are not careful. The best way to avoid this is to add a little bit of water to the pan when you first start cooking the dish. This will help to thin out the sauce and prevent it from getting too thick. Another tip is to add some lime juice to the dish when you are finished cooking it. This will also help to keep the sauce from getting too thick.
If you find that your sauce has gotten too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out. You can also add some lime juice to brighten up the flavor.
What is the Difference Between Cha Ca La Vong and Pho, and Other Popular Viet Noodle Soup Dishes?

Vietnamese cuisine is world renowned for its delicious, healthy and flavorful dishes. One of the most popular Vietnamese noodle soup dishes is cha ca la vong. This dish originated in the city of Hanoi and is made with fresh fish, noodles, herbs and spices.
Cha ca la vong is typically made with snakehead fish, which is a species of freshwater fish that is native to Vietnam. The snakehead fish is marinated in a mixture of turmeric, ginger and other spices before being fried. The fried fish is then simmered in a broth made with chicken or beef stock, fish sauce, sugar and vinegar.
Noodles, herbs and spices are added to the broth and the entire dish is served with a side of dipping sauce.
Cha ca la vong is a popular street food in Vietnam and can be found at most Vietnamese restaurants. Pho, another popular Vietnamese noodle soup dish, is also made with fresh noodles, but the broth is typically made with beef or chicken stock and does not contain fish.
While both cha ca la vong and pho are delicious, there are some key differences between these two popular noodle soup dishes.
The biggest difference between cha ca la vong and pho is the type of noodles used. Cha ca la vong uses thin rice noodles, while pho uses thicker rice noodles. The thickness of the noodles will impact the overall texture of the dish.
Another difference between cha ca la vong and pho is the broth. As mentioned, cha ca la vong contains a fish-based broth, while pho contains a beef or chicken-based broth. The fish broth in cha ca la vong gives the dish a unique flavor that is different from pho.
Finally, the toppings for cha ca la vong and pho are also different. Cha ca la vong is typically topped with green onions, cilantro and peanuts, while pho is typically topped with green onions, bean sprouts and basil.
While both dishes are delicious, the differences in ingredients make them each unique. If you’re looking for a hearty noodle soup with a unique flavor, try cha ca la vong. If you’re looking for a more traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, try pho.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cha Ca La Vong Recipe
1. What is Cha Ca La Vong?
Cha ca la vong is a traditional Vietnamese dish of grilled fish served with rice noodles and herbs. The name of the dish comes from the restaurant where it was invented, Cha Ca La Vong, located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
2. What type of fish is used in Cha Ca La Vong?
The most commonly used fish for this dish is catfish, however other white fleshed fish such as tilapia or bass can also be used.
3. How is Cha Ca La Vong prepared?
The fish is first marinated in a mixture of galangal, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and turmeric. It is then grilled over charcoal and served with rice noodles, herbs, and a nuoc cham dipping sauce.
4. What are the benefits of Cha Ca La Vong?
Cha ca la vong is a healthy dish that is low in calories and fat. The fish is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and the herbs used in the dish are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
5. How many people does Cha Ca La Vong serve?
This dish typically serves 2-3 people. However, the portion size can be increased or decreased depending on how many people you are serving.

Cha Ca La Vong
Equipment
- A big pot
- a bowl
- a cutting board
- a knife
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound fish fillets traditionally, catfish is used, but you can also use other white-fleshed fish such as tilapia or bass
- 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 cups dashi broth or chicken broth
- 1/2 pound rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons chopped scallions
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1 lime cut into wedges
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the fish fillets, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- In a big pot, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the marinated fish fillets and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Add the dashi broth (or chicken broth) to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the rice noodles and cook for about 5 minutes, or until tender.
- Garnish with scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges. Serve hot.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our recipe for Cha Ca La Vong. We hope you enjoy making and eating this dish as much as we enjoyed writing about it! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you again and happy cooking!
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