This recipe is inspired by chả cá lã vọng, a popular Vietnamese dish featuring fish marinated in ginger and turmeric, baked or grilled and then fried tableside for a crispy crust. Turmeric is a super spice that contains curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, toss the catfish, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon ginger, the turmeric and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a large bowl; set aside to marinate 15 minutes. Combine 3 tablespoons water with the remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fish sauce and 1 teaspoon ginger, the lime juice, sugar and chili-garlic sauce in a small bowl; set aside.
When the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat, add the vermicelli and stir. Let sit until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water. Shake off as much water as possible and transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and half of the prepared sauce and toss; divide among 4 bowls.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side; remove to a plate. Add the bell pepper and scallions to the skillet and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in half of the herbs.
Top the noodles with the fish, vegetables and remaining herbs. Drizzle some of the remaining sauce on top and serve with more chili-garlic sauce on the side.
Photograph by Ryan Dausch
This recipe has been updated to more accurately recognize its origin or to add cultural context. It may differ from what was originally published or broadcast.