Fragrant Pork & Lemongrass Noodles Recipe
Introduction
This fragrant pork and lemongrass noodle dish is a vibrant and flavorful meal that’s quick to prepare. Combining tender pork mince with aromatic lemongrass, fresh herbs, and zesty lime, it makes a perfect weekday dinner that’s both satisfying and light.

Ingredients
- 2 nests of vermicelli rice noodles
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
- 4 tsp lemongrass paste
- 1 lime, zested and juiced, plus extra wedges to serve (optional)
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 medium carrots, coarsely grated
- 8 spring onions, finely sliced
- 500g pork mince
- 200g Swiss chard, finely sliced
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- ½ small bunch of coriander, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions, then set them aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the crushed garlic, grated ginger, lemongrass paste, lime zest, and sliced red chilli.
- Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and lemongrass mixture and fry for about 2 minutes until it starts to soften and become fragrant.
- Step 4: Add the grated carrots and sliced spring onions to the pan. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently to combine the flavors.
- Step 5: Add the pork mince to the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in the finely sliced Swiss chard and cook for 2 more minutes until it wilts down.
- Step 7: Drizzle the fish sauce and lime juice over the pan and scatter in the chopped coriander. Cook for an additional 1 minute while stirring to combine all ingredients well.
- Step 8: Finally, add the cooked vermicelli noodles to the pan. Toss everything together thoroughly and serve immediately, with extra lime wedges on the side if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, leave some of the chilli seeds in or add a dash of chili flakes.
- Substitute pork mince with chicken or turkey mince for a leaner option.
- Use spinach or kale instead of Swiss chard if you prefer a different green.
- If you can’t find lemongrass paste, finely chop fresh lemongrass stalks or use a mix of lime zest and ginger as a substitute.
Storage
Store any leftover noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water or lime juice to keep the noodles moist.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh coriander?
Fresh coriander adds a bright, citrusy flavor that dried coriander can’t replicate. If you don’t have fresh coriander, you can omit it or add a small amount of dried coriander powder, but the dish will lose some freshness.
Are vermicelli rice noodles gluten-free?
Yes, vermicelli rice noodles are typically made from rice and are naturally gluten-free, making this dish suitable for those avoiding gluten.
Print
Fragrant Pork & Lemongrass Noodles Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A vibrant and aromatic stir-fried noodle dish featuring tender pork mince infused with fragrant lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and fresh lime, balanced with crunchy vegetables and fresh coriander for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 2 nests of vermicelli rice noodles
Flavour Base
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
- 4 tsp lemongrass paste
- 1 lime, zested and juiced, plus extra wedges to serve (optional)
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, coarsely grated
- 8 spring onions, finely sliced
- 200g swiss chard, finely sliced
Protein
- 500g pork mince
Other
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- ½ small bunch of coriander, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Noodles: Cook the vermicelli rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Make Flavour Base: In a bowl, combine the crushed garlic, grated ginger, lemongrass paste, lime zest, and finely sliced red chilli. This mixture will infuse the dish with its aromatic character.
- Fry Flavour Base: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the flavour base mixture and fry for about 2 minutes until the ingredients begin to soften and release their aroma.
- Add Vegetables: Add the coarsely grated carrots and finely sliced spring onions to the pan. Stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently to combine and soften the vegetables slightly.
- Cook Pork: Add the pork mince to the pan and cook for 3 minutes, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until it starts to brown and is nearly cooked through.
- Add Swiss Chard: Mix in the finely sliced swiss chard and cook for another 2 minutes until the pork is fully cooked and the swiss chard has wilted.
- Season and Finish: Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of fish sauce and the lime juice over the mixture. Scatter in the chopped coriander and cook everything together for 1 minute, stirring well to combine all the flavors.
- Toss with Noodles and Serve: Add the prepared vermicelli noodles to the pan, toss thoroughly to combine and heat through. Serve immediately, garnished with extra lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- Ensure to deseed the red chilli if you prefer less heat.
- Vermicelli noodles cook quickly so monitor closely to avoid overcooking.
- Fresh coriander adds a bright, fresh flavor that complements the lemongrass and lime.
- Adjust fish sauce to taste for desired saltiness.
- Swiss chard can be substituted with spinach or other leafy greens if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: pork mince, lemongrass, vermicelli noodles, stir-fry, quick dinner, Asian noodles, fragrant pork, lime juice, garlic, ginger

