Description
A comforting and flavorful Yunnan Rice Noodles Soup featuring tender rice noodles in a rich chicken broth with garlic, ginger, ground pork or chicken, and fresh vegetables. This Chinese classic from Yunnan province is easy to make and perfect for a warming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 7 oz dried or fresh rice noodles (preferably Yunnan-style)
Broth and Aromatics
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 small tomato, diced
Protein
- 4 oz ground pork or chicken
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili oil (optional)
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 small bunch bok choy or spinach
- 1 green onion, sliced
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles: If using dried rice noodles, soak them according to the package instructions, then drain well to be ready for cooking.
- Sauté aromatics: In a medium pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn them.
- Cook tomato: Add the diced tomato to the pot and cook for about 2 minutes until softened, which will add a subtle sweetness and depth to the broth.
- Cook protein: Add ground pork or chicken to the pot. Stir and break it apart with a spoon, cooking until the meat loses its pink color, ensuring it’s fully cooked.
- Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, then add light soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, white pepper, and chili oil if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to develop the soup’s flavor.
- Add greens: Toss in bok choy or spinach and simmer for an additional 2 minutes until the greens are tender but still vibrant.
- Cook noodles in soup: Add the soaked noodles to the pot and simmer just until they are heated through (for fresh noodles) or fully cooked (for soaked dried noodles), allowing them to absorb the broth flavors.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sliced green onion and fresh cilantro. Serve hot for the best experience.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead.
- Boost protein by adding a soft-boiled egg or tofu cubes.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free.
- Adjust chili oil quantity to control the spice level to your preference.
