A vibrant bowl filled with glossy, soft vermicelli noodles, topped with succulent seared shrimp, electrifyingly red slices of nectarine, fresh green herbs, all drenched in a delicious tangy dressing, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for contrast.

Nectarine and Shrimp Bun Cha

Name: Nectarine and Shrimp Bun Cha
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: ripe nectarines, 2 freshly sliced; jumbo shrimp, 12 peeled and deveined; vermicelli noodles, 2 cups cooked and cooled; fish sauce, 4 tablespoons None; rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons None; lime juice, 2 tablespoons None; brown sugar, 2 tablespoons None; small chili pepper, 1 finely chopped; garlic cloves, 3 minced; small red onion, 1 thinly sliced; fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil), 1 cup roughly chopped; toasted sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons None; vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon None; Salt and pepper, to taste None

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style Vietnamese

Technique Pan Searing

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: August 31, 2025

This recipe marries Vietnamese flavors with the irresistible sweetness of late-summer nectarines. The star of the show – nectarine – is combined with seared shrimp, vermicelli noodles, and a tangy dressing for a sweet, sour, and savory combo that is perfect for the end of summer.

Ingredients (for 2)

Ripe nectarines - 2 - freshly sliced
Jumbo shrimp - 12 - peeled and deveined
Vermicelli noodles - 2 cups - cooked and cooled
Fish sauce - 4 tablespoons
Rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons
Lime juice - 2 tablespoons
Brown sugar - 2 tablespoons
Small chili pepper - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic cloves - 3 - minced
Small red onion - 1 - thinly sliced
Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil) - 1 cup - roughly chopped
Toasted sesame seeds - 2 tablespoons
Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt and pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍚🌶️🥣

Combine fish sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar, chili pepper, and half of the minced garlic in a bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 2 - 🍤🍳🧂

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and shrimps. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the shrimps turn pink, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 3 - 🍝🍤🥗

In a large bowl, toss together the cooked noodles, shrimp, sliced nectarines, red onions, and fresh herbs.
Step 4 - 🥗🧂🥄

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss everything to combine well.
Step 5 - 🍲🥣🥢

Serve the salad in bowls, topped with toasted sesame seeds.

Additional

Did you know that Bun Cha is a traditional Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodle? It's commonly served with a dipping sauce. This recipe takes a twist on that, replacing the grilled pork with shrimp and the sauce is added right into the dish! You can replace nectarines with peaches or plums, or even try it with cherry tomatoes for a different flavor profile! Kids can help wash and tear the herbs, or combine the ingredients for the dressing.