How to Cook Delicious and Light Vegetarian Nam Vang Noodles for Vu Lan Day

How to prepare Vegetarian Nam Vang Noodles

• 1

  Prepare the ingredients

  Fresh shiitake mushrooms should be cleaned by using a knife to remove the dirty parts at the base, then soak them in diluted salt water for about 2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.

  Next, separate the mushroom stems and caps, then divide the mushrooms into 2 equal parts. One part will be sliced and minced, while the other part will be shaped into stars on the caps and used to cook the broth along with the stems.

  How to soak dried shiitake mushrooms quickly

  • Method 1: Soak the mushrooms in water for about 1 – 2 hours, then rinse with clean water and drain before cooking.
  • Method 2: To make the mushrooms expand faster, you can soak them in warm water at 60 – 80 degrees Celsius for 7 – 10 minutes.

  See details: How to soak shiitake mushrooms properly

  White radish, carrots, and cassava should be peeled and sliced thinly after cutting off the ends. Leeks should be washed, with 1/3 of the root chopped finely and the remaining 2/3 cut in half.

  For sugarcane, you can simply ask the seller to peel and cut it into pieces about 2 finger lengths. When you get home, just rinse it with water and cut it into 4 smaller pieces.

  Pickled radish should be soaked in water for about 2 minutes and then rinsed to reduce the characteristic saltiness before cutting it into small slices similar in size to the white radish.

  For the accompanying vegetables, remove the roots, discard any wilted or infested leaves (if any), then wash thoroughly and let drain.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  Cook the broth

  Next, you add all the prepared ingredients including: white radish, pickled radish, carrot, cassava, green onion, sugarcane, and star-shaped shiitake mushrooms along with 2 liters of water into the pot.

  Then, cover the pot and cook over high heat for about 3 minutes until the water in the pot boils, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting and continue to simmer for about 30 – 45 minutes for the ingredients to release their sweetness and make our broth light and appealing.

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Sauté mushrooms

  Heat a pan on the stove, add 1 teaspoon of cooking oil and chopped green onion roots into the pan, stir evenly for about 1 minute over high heat until the green onion roots turn golden and fragrant, then add the finely chopped shiitake mushrooms.

  Sauté over medium heat for about 3 minutes until the mushrooms are just cooked, then add 1/2 tablespoon of vegetarian seasoning, increase to high heat and stir continuously for another 2 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked, evenly absorb the seasoning, and reduce the moisture.

  

  

  

  
• 4

  Frying Tofu and Vegetarian Ribs

  Before frying, soak the vegetarian ribs in water for about 15 minutes until they expand and soften, then rinse with water, squeeze out excess water, and tear them into thin pieces about 1 – 1.5 finger widths.

  Then place all the vegetarian ribs in a bowl along with 1/2 tablespoon of vegetarian seasoning and use your hands to mix well so that the seasoning dissolves and evenly penetrates the vegetarian ribs.

  Wash the tofu, use a towel to absorb all the moisture, and cut it into small square pieces with each side measuring about 1.5 finger widths.

  Next, add the remaining cooking oil to a pan, heat until the oil is bubbling, then add the cut tofu. Fry over high heat for about 3 minutes until the tofu is evenly golden, then remove it to a plate.

  Then add the marinated vegetarian ribs to the hot oil and fry over medium heat for about 2 minutes until the vegetarian ribs gradually turn golden. Increase the heat and stir the ribs until you feel they are crispy and firm, then you can turn off the heat and remove the vegetarian ribs to a plate.

  

  

  

  
• 5

  Fry the wonton wrappers

  First, use your fingers to dab a bit of water on the two diagonal corners of the wonton wrapper, then fold the two corners together and hold tightly for about 2 seconds to create a visually appealing triangle shape for the wonton.

  Next, place the wontons into the pan with the oil that was previously used to fry the tofu and vegetarian ribs, and fry for about 2 minutes on high heat until the wontons are golden and crispy, then remove them and place them on a plate.

  

  
• 6

  Completion

  After cooking the broth, turn off the heat, remove all the vegetables, keeping only the shiitake mushrooms, and add the fried tofu, 1/3 tablespoon of salt, 1.5 tablespoons of vegetarian seasoning, and 1 tablespoon of sugar into the pot. Stir well and cook on medium heat until the broth comes to a boil again.

  Next, bring a pot of 800ml of water to a boil, and when the water is boiling, add the bean sprouts and rice noodles to blanch for about 2 minutes until the bean sprouts and noodles are just cooked, then remove them, drain the water, and place them in a bowl.

  How to blanch noodles so they are chewy and not mushy

  • First, you should separate the noodles into loose strands; if the noodles are too long, you can cut them to about 20 – 30cm for easy eating.
  • You can soak the noodles in cold water to soften them more quickly. Do not soak for too long to avoid mushiness.
  • After blanching, place the noodles in a bowl of cold water, wait for them to cool down, and then take them out. Doing this will keep the noodles crispy and not mushy.

  Decorate with a few chives, finely chopped cilantro, crispy fried tofu, fried vegetarian ribs, sautéed shiitake mushrooms, and fragrant fried garlic. Then, pour some hot broth that is just boiling into it. Mix well and add a few slices of chili and crispy fried wontons, and then we can enjoy!

  

  

  

  
• 7

  Final Product

  The Vegetarian Nam Vang Noodles will have an appealing aroma of fragrant fried garlic once completed. When eaten, you will be captivated by the sweet and creamy broth with the enticing flavor of sautéed shiitake mushrooms.

  Additionally, the noodles are blanched to be chewy and delicious, with a bite of tofu, vegetarian ribs, and crispy fried wonton skin that is incredibly flavorful. Try cooking it and enjoy right away!