Northern Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
A wholesome Northern Thai-inspired Chicken noodle soup recipe by Ken Hom. Also known as khao soi, the delicious soup is enhanced with fresh lime and lemongrass.
Introduction
Khao soi is a wonderfully hearty but distinctly Thai soup, and quite delicious. A perfect dish for a large hungry crowd.
Ingredients
| 175g (6oz) | fresh or dried egg noodles |
| 2 | sticks of lemongrass |
| 175g (6oz) | boneless, skinless chicken breasts |
| 1 tbsp | vegetable oil |
| 1 | small onion, finely chopped |
| 2 tbsp | coarsely chopped garlic |
| 1.2l (2 pints) | home-made chicken stock, vegetable stock or good-quality bought stock |
| 1 x 400ml (14fl oz) | tin of coconut milk |
| 2 | small, fresh red or green Thai chillies, de-seeded and finely shredded |
| 1 tbsp | fish sauce (nam pla) |
| 1 tbsp | dark soy sauce |
| 1 tbsp | sugar |
| 2 tbsp | Madras curry paste or powder |
| 1 tsp | salt |
| ½ tsp | freshly ground black pepper |
| 2 tbsp | lime juice |
| 1 handful | of fresh coriander and basil leaves, to garnish |
Method
Cook the noodles in a large pan of boiling water for 3–5 minutes, until tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
Peel off the tough outer layers of the lemon grass, leaving the tender whitish centre. Cut it into 7.5cm (3in) pieces and crush with the flat of a heavy knife. Shred the chicken into strips.
Heat a large, heavy pan over a high heat. Add the oil and, when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the onion, garlic and lemon grass and stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Stir in the stock and coconut milk, reduce the heat to low, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the chillies, chicken, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, curry paste or powder, salt and pepper and stir well. Add the drained noodles, then cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove the lemon grass with a slotted spoon. Stir in the lime juice, then pour the soup into a large tureen, garnish with the coriander and basil leaves and serve at once.
