Bun bo nam bo is a traditional dish. The name holds a key to its basic ingredients and the location – bun means noodle, bo is for beef, and nam bo refers to the South of the country. The main ingredients include beef, rice vermicelli noodles, garlic, fresh herbs (cilantro, mint), and vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, bean sprouts), while roasted peanuts and fried shallots are entirely optional.

The noodles, vegetables, and herbs are arranged in bowls, while the beef is stir-fried and added on top. The whole bowl is garnished with peanuts and shallots before the dish is served.