Bun Cha in the Air Fryer (Easy Viet-Style Noodle Bowl at Home)
I honestly didn’t know Bun Cha could feel more comforting than a bowl of noodle soup! It’s the kind of comfort that really works for those of us living in Singapore — so refreshing, yet still hits all the flavour spots. And I promise you’ll be extra blown away by how good those patties taste fresh out of the air fryer.
Juicy, lightly charred chicken patties paired with fresh herbs, soft and chewy noodles, and that spicy-sweet-tangy dipping sauce... this bowl is so satisfying, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Juicy, lightly charred chicken patties — no frying needed, ever
Cooling, fresh noodle bowl that’s perfect for Singapore’s endless summer
Air fryer = less mess, faster clean-up
The sauce is SUPER addictive: spicy, sweet, tangy, and bright
Great for meal prep — the patties keep well in the fridge, raw or cooked
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 14 mins
Serves: 2
Ingredients
🥢 Chicken Patties
400g chicken mince (or traditionally, pork)
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
¾ tbsp brown sugar
5–6 cloves garlic, finely grated
½ stick lemongrass, finely chopped
¼ onion, finely chopped
Good pinch of salt and black pepper
🥢 Dipping Sauce for Noodles / Patties
125–150ml water
2½ tbsp caster sugar
50ml fish sauce
Juice of ½–1 lime (adjust to taste)
2 Bird’s eye chillies, finely sliced
Spring onions, finely sliced
🥢 To Serve
Rice vermicelli noodles (cooked and cooled)
Fresh herbs: mint, coriander, Thai basil
Extra lime wedges
Sliced cucumber or lettuce (optional)
Method
1️⃣ Mix the patties.
In a bowl, combine the chicken mince, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, garlic, lemongrass, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined – you’ll know it’s ready when the mixture feels sticky, don’t need to overmix:)
2️⃣ Shape and air fry.
Form small patties (about 1–1.5 cm thick). Place them in the air fryer or air fryer basket. Air fry at 200°C for 12 - 14 minutes, flipping once at the 8th minute mark, and another time just 2 - 3 minutes before the timer is done. Your patties should look golden, crispy & charred at the edges! I also put them in without oil and cook for about 4 - 5 minutes until they have solidified, then I’ll spray some neutral oil.
3️⃣ Make the sauce.
In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Add the fish sauce, lime juice, chillies, and spring onions. Adjust lime and sugar to taste. You don’t have to follow my measurements for this, make the dipping sauce the way you like:)
4️⃣ Assemble your bowl.
Layer cooked vermicelli, fresh herbs, and patties. Serve with dipping sauce on the side for slurping and dipping. Enjoy!~
Storage & FAQ
🫙 How do I store the cooked patties?
Let them cool completely, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I simply reheat them in the air fryer when I want to eat them.
🔥 Can I refrigerate/freeze the patties?
Yes — freeze raw shaped patties with baking paper between them. Air fry directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the cook time, or until they turn golden. For refrigeration, I’d recommend to slightly reduce the salt added as the raw meat will continue to marinate overtime and might become too salty if left too long. I only left the raw patties in the fridge for 24 hours.
🍋 What’s the best noodle type?
I use rice vermicelli, but feel free to swap for any noodles you enjoy.
💡 Do I need a dipping sauce?
Yes — it ties the whole bowl together. Adjust the lime and chilli to your liking:)
