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Thai Glass Noodle Soup

A comforting bowl of nourishment with savory broth and chewy glass noodles, perfect for any season.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Soup Base
  • 5 cups water
  • 12 oz Chinese style chopped pork spare ribs or chicken wings drumettes
  • 1 2-inch section daikon or 1/4 onion, peeled and large diced (optional)
  • 5-6 stems cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1.4 oz dried glass noodles
  • 250 g egg tofu or soft tofu
  • 4 cups napa cabbage, bite-sized pieces
For the Meatballs
  • 1/2 lb ground pork or chicken
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce (for meatballs)
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce (for meatballs)
  • 3/4 teaspoon sugar (for meatballs)
  • Freshly ground white pepper (to taste for meatballs)
For Garnish
  • Chopped cilantro and/or green onions (for garnish)
  • Fried garlic (optional)
  • Garlic oil (for topping, optional)
For Fried Garlic
  • 1 head garlic (for fried garlic)
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil (for fried garlic)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the pork ribs into meaty pieces, no thicker than 1/2 inch. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Season with fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Bring to a rapid simmer for 5-10 minutes, then skim off any foam that rises.
  2. Add the cilantro stems and daikon (if using) to the pot. Cover loosely and let it simmer until the meat is fork-tender—about 20 mins for chicken wings or 30-40 mins for ribs.
  3. While the meat simmers, soak the glass noodles in room temperature water for at least 7 minutes. Once softened, drain and cut into 2-3 sections.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Knead for a couple of minutes until well mixed for tender meatballs.
Cooking
  1. When the meat is tender, carefully scoop the meatballs into the bubbling soup. Once boiling again, add the napa cabbage and cubed egg tofu to the pot.
  2. After boiling for a couple of minutes, add the drained glass noodles and cook for 3 more minutes. Taste your broth and adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce or fish sauce as needed.
Serving
  1. Finish off with a sprinkle of green onions or fresh cilantro, and drizzle some fried garlic on top if desired.

Notes

Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This soup can also be frozen for up to a month. Variation: To make a vegetarian or vegan version, substitute meat with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth.