Chả Cá Lã Vọng is one of those dishes that rewards patience and attention to detail. This recipe captures the authentic flavors that make this dish a Vietnamese staple.

Chả cá Lã Vọng is Hanoi's most iconic fish dish — turmeric-golden fish fillets sizzling with fresh dill and green onions, served over vermicelli with herbs, peanuts, and a punchy dipping sauce. The turmeric gives the fish a warm, earthy flavor and brilliant color, while the dill adds an unexpected but perfect anise-like freshness. Every bite is a contrast of crispy-edged fish, soft herbs, crunchy peanuts, and tangy-sweet nuoc cham.

Ingredients

    For the fish

    • 1 lb tilapia, cut into 1½ inch pieces
    • 1 tsp turmeric powder
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp white pepper
    • 1 tsp granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp fish sauce
    • 2 tbsp shallots, minced
    • 1 tbsp dill, minced
    • 1 stalk green onion, minced

    For serving

    • 1 package vermicelli noodles
    • 1 head lettuce
    • Mint leaves
    • 2 tbsp peanuts, toasted and chopped
    • ⅓ cup Vietnamese dipping sauce (nuoc cham)
    • 2 tbsp fried shallots (optional)

    Instructions

    1

    Add the tilapia pieces to a bowl with turmeric, garlic, ginger, salt, white pepper, sugar, and fish sauce. Mix well and marinate for 15 minutes, ensuring the fish is fully coated.

    2

    While the fish marinates, prep the other ingredients: mince the dill and green onions, cook the vermicelli noodles according to package directions, and prepare the nuoc cham dipping sauce.

    3

    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced shallots and cook for about 1 minute until they look shiny.

    4

    Add the fish and all the marinade to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes on each side.

    5

    Top the fish with minced dill and green onions and cook for 30 more seconds. Remove from heat.

    6

    Assemble the bowls: add vermicelli noodles to a bowl, top with lettuce, mint, fried shallots, peanuts, and the turmeric fish. Drizzle Vietnamese dipping sauce over the top and serve.