Bun Bo Hue Paste

Name: Bun Bo Hue Paste
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 2 tbsp annatto; 2 tbsp chili flakes; 1 tbsp shrimp paste; 1 tsp fine sea salt; 1 tsp sugar

25 minutes prep 45 minutes cook Serves 4 to 6 vegan

From the imperial city of Hue, the Bun Bo Hue Paste carries the essence of Central Vietnam's bold and aromatic cuisine. Crafted in home kitchens with practiced precision, this paste captures the heart of Hue's culinary tradition, where cooks rely on instinct to balance flavors. It's a staple in Vietnamese households, often prepared when families gather to enjoy a comforting bowl of Bun Bo Hue, the city's famous beef noodle soup.

Rich and complex, the paste should be a harmonious blend of spicy, salty, and umami flavors, with a vibrant hue from annatto. The generous use of shrimp paste deepens the umami, while chili flakes add a lingering heat. The result is a paste that invigorates the senses, ready to transform a simple bowl of noodles into a fragrant feast.

Ingredients

2 tbspannatto
2 tbspchili flakes
1 tbspshrimp paste
1 tspfine sea salt
1 tspsugar

Method

Place a dry skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of annatto seeds. Toast them gently, stirring occasionally, until they release a warm, nutty aroma and their color deepens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them, as this will make the paste bitter.
Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the toasted annatto seeds to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer them to a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Grind the seeds until they become a fine powder, ensuring there are no large pieces left.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground annatto with 2 tablespoons of chili flakes. Add 1 tablespoon of shrimp paste, 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir the mixture thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the paste has a uniform texture.
Transfer the Bun Bo Hue Paste to an airtight container. Ensure the lid is sealed tightly to maintain the paste's freshness and potency. Store the container in a cool, dark place to preserve the vibrant flavors until you're ready to use it in your cooking.