Yum Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
Yum Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
Yum Woon Sen: A Refreshing Thai Noodle Salad for a Vibrant Meal
As the weather warms, cravings for fresh and zesty flavors often follow. Feeling that a full meal is too much but a simple salad is not quite satisfying? How about a delightful salad noodle dish? In Thai, ‘Yum’ means ‘to toss’ or ‘salad,’ and ‘Woon Sen’ refers to ‘noodles.’ Thus, Yum Woon Sen translates to ‘salad noodles.’ Thin vermicelli noodles, much finer than Korean glass noodles, are tossed with an abundance of fresh vegetables and drizzled with a flavorful dressing. It looks like a salad, but with the addition of rice noodles and shrimp, it provides both fullness and nutrition. Its beautiful presentation makes it an excellent choice for housewarmings or when entertaining guests. This incredibly refreshing, sweet, and sour dish is the perfect remedy for a lingering appetite, especially after summer. Naturally, it’s also a fantastic option for a healthy diet.
Main Ingredients- Vermicelli noodles 200g (mung bean glass noodles or rice vermicelli)
- Cherry tomatoes 4-5, halved
- Cucumber 1/2, thinly julienned
- Carrot 1/4, thinly julienned
- Leafy greens 2-3 leaves (e.g., lettuce, romaine, perilla leaves), chopped
- Onion 1/2, thinly sliced
- Cocktail shrimp 6-8, peeled and deveined
- Crab sticks 1-2 sticks, shredded or sliced
- Fresh cilantro 1 handful (optional)
- Olive oil a little (for sautéing shrimp)
- Chopped peanuts 1 tablespoon (for garnish, optional)
Sauce- Fish sauce 2 tablespoons (or anchovy sauce)
- Fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons (or lime juice)
- Sugar 2 tablespoons (or corn syrup, honey)
- Finely minced chili 1/2 (green or red)
- Sriracha sauce 1/2 – 1 tablespoon (or chili sauce, optional)
- Sesame oil 2-3 drops
Shrimp Marinade- Salt a pinch
- Pepper a pinch
- Lemon juice a little
- Fish sauce 2 tablespoons (or anchovy sauce)
- Fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons (or lime juice)
- Sugar 2 tablespoons (or corn syrup, honey)
- Finely minced chili 1/2 (green or red)
- Sriracha sauce 1/2 – 1 tablespoon (or chili sauce, optional)
- Sesame oil 2-3 drops
Shrimp Marinade- Salt a pinch
- Pepper a pinch
- Lemon juice a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vermicelli noodles. If using dried vermicelli, soak them in lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. Then, blanch them in boiling water for just 30 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water to retain their chewy texture, which is ideal for salads. If you prefer a softer texture, you can boil them for an additional 1-2 minutes. However, cooking times can vary by brand and type, so it’s best to follow the instructions on the package. For Yum Woon Sen, thin and chewy mung bean vermicelli is highly recommended for its excellent texture.
Step 2
Marinate the prepared cocktail shrimp with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a little lemon juice. Gently toss to coat and let it sit for a short while. This step helps to remove any fishy odor from the shrimp and enhances their flavor.
Step 3
Shred the crab sticks by hand or cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can also cut them into thicker strips if you prefer.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to sauté the marinated shrimp and prepared crab sticks. Heat a pan with a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and crab sticks, sautéing lightly, ensuring they don’t stick together. Cook just until the shrimp turn pink and the crab sticks are lightly golden. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become tough.
Step 5
In the same pan used for the shrimp and crab sticks, add the thinly sliced onions and sauté them. Cook until the onions become translucent and slightly softened. This process brings out their sweetness, which will blend beautifully with the dressing.
Step 6
Wash the leafy greens (like lettuce, romaine), cucumber, and carrot. Julienne them finely for a visually appealing presentation. You can also tear the leafy greens into larger pieces by hand.
Step 7
Using a variety of colorful vegetables will enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your salad noodles. Don’t hesitate to include plenty of crisp vegetables.
Step 8
Remove the stems from the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Halving them will release their fresh juices, making the dressing even more flavorful and delicious.
Step 9
Let’s prepare the delicious Yum Woon Sen sauce! In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Add half a finely minced chili for a touch of spice. You can also add Sriracha sauce for extra heat, if desired. This ratio is a guideline; a common proportion for 100g of vermicelli (about 1 serving) is 1 tablespoon of each sauce ingredient. Adjust the quantities according to your personal taste and the amount of ingredients you are using.
Step 10
Finally, it’s time to assemble everything! In a large bowl, artfully arrange the prepared vermicelli noodles, sautéed shrimp, crab sticks, and fresh vegetables. Drizzle the prepared sauce evenly over the ingredients. Gently toss everything together until well combined, and your delicious Yum Woon Sen is ready! For an extra layer of flavor and texture, consider adding fresh cilantro leaves, crunchy bean sprouts, thinly sliced lemon, or crushed peanuts according to your preference.
