vietnameselowcarbbean-sproutsstir-fryquickbeginnerside-dish

Bun Gia

Name: Bun Gia
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 300 g bean sprouts; 80 g garlic chives, cut into 4 cm lengths; 3 cloves (9 g) garlic, finely sliced; 1 small (8 g) red chili, thinly sliced; 10 ml neutral oil; 5 ml sesame oil; 15 ml fish sauce; 1/4 tsp ground white pepper; 1/2 tsp sugar; 10 ml lime juice

This quick stir-fry is light, savoury, and intensely fresh, with juicy bean sprouts, sweet garlic, and fragrant garlic chives. Fish sauce brings deep umami, chili adds gentle heat, and a final squeeze of lime keeps the whole dish bright and lively.

13 min

2 servings

88 kcal

Vietnamese

Ingredients

Stir-fry

300 gbean sprouts
80 ggarlic chives, cut into 4 cm lengths
3 cloves (9 g)garlic, finely sliced
1 small (8 g)red chili, thinly sliced
10 mlneutral oil
5 mlsesame oil
15 mlfish sauce
1/4 tspground white pepper
1/2 tspsugar

To finish

10 mllime juice

Instructions

1
Rinse the bean sprouts well in cold water and drain very thoroughly; excess water will make the stir-fry steam instead of sear. Cut the garlic chives into 4 cm lengths, slice the garlic, and slice the chili.
2
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat until very hot. Add the neutral oil and sesame oil, swirl briefly, then add the garlic and chili. Stir-fry for about 15-20 seconds until fragrant but not browned, so the garlic stays sweet rather than bitter.
3
Add the bean sprouts and toss over high heat for 1-2 minutes. Keep the food moving constantly so the sprouts heat through quickly while staying crisp. They should look glossy and just slightly softened, not limp.
4
Add the garlic chives, fish sauce, white pepper, and sugar. Stir-fry for 30-60 seconds more, just until the chives wilt and turn bright green. Do not overcook; this dish is best with a fresh crunch.
5
Turn off the heat, add the lime juice, and toss once more. Serve immediately while hot and crisp.

Nutrition per serving

88 kcal

Calories

Protein

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

Notes

•For the best texture, cook in a very hot pan and avoid crowding; if your pan is small, cook in 2 batches.
•If you want a slightly heartier low-carb plate, serve alongside grilled fish, pork, or tofu.
•Mung bean sprouts are traditional here; soybean sprouts will need a little longer cooking time and have a stronger flavour.
•Fish sauce brands vary in saltiness, so taste quickly before serving and adjust with a few drops more if needed.

Background

Bun gia is a simple Vietnamese stir-fried vegetable dish built around crunchy bean sprouts and aromatic garlic chives. It reflects the fast, high-heat cooking common in Vietnamese home kitchens, where fresh produce is often cooked briefly to preserve texture and brightness.

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