One staple that keeps Thailand turning is Kwiteo nam – the Thai noodle soup. Thai roadside noodle soup vendors are plentiful and provide a filling dish at very reasonable prices. The main noodle styles are “Sen lek” (thin), “Sen yai” (wide), “Sen mee” (AKA Bamee” egg noodles) and “Mama” (the wriggly noodles).
The recipe is simple and after you perfect it, you can set up at the roadside yourself!
Cooking Method
Boil up the stock and add the fish balls, pork rolled into balls, fish sauce and sugar. After 2 minutes add the noodles and bean sprouts in a net spoon and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Now add the shallot, coriander and garlic.
Fish out the sprouts and noodles and place into bowls, then add the fish balls and minced pork. Top up with the soup stock and sprinkle a little white pepper on top. Serve with some more fish sauce, some chilli powder, sugar and sliced red chilli in vinegar.
| Ingredients | Serves 4 |
| Noodles (soaked) | 200 gm |
| Pork (minced) | 200 gm |
| Fish balls (any supermarket) | 200 gm |
| Bean sprouts | 150 gm |
| Coriander (chopped) | 2 tbspns |
| Shallots (chopped) | 1 |
| Garlic (chopped, fried) | 1 tbspn |
| Fish sauce | 50 mls |
| Ground white pepper | ½ tspn |
| Sugar | 1 tspn |
| Chicken stock | 1.5 litres |
