Yum Woon Sen Pork (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
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Yum woon sen pork – one of the best Thai dishes, with an irresistible spicy and sour dressing, refreshing flavors, and crunchy vegetables. This easy Thai glass noodle salad comes together in less than 20 minutes, perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
What is yum woon sen
Yum woon sen is a healthy Thai glass noodle salad known for its blend of spicy, sour, and slightly sweet flavors. Thin glass noodles, fresh vegetables, and a protein like minced pork or shrimp are tossed in a tangy dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and chili.
Authentic Thai glass noodle salad
This is hands down one of my fave summer salads. An easy noodle salad with refreshing lime, juicy tomatoes, and crisp celery on a hot summer’s day? Yes please!
I usually whip up a yum woon sen ground pork, but feel free to toss in some fresh shrimp or even dried shrimp. The choice of protein is easy to customize.
It’s so light, yet it always fills me up. It’s one of my favorite street foods in Thailand.
It’s an absolute must-try, trust me.
The spicy Thai dressing is absolute perfection. It’s sweet, it’s sour, and it’s spicy. That’s three of the best flavors of Thai cuisine.
You’ll get refreshing glass noodles, savory minced pork, delicious vegetables, and the best Thai dressing. It’s going to be one of your new favorite salads, no doubt!
Explore more Thai yum salads:
Like this yum woon sen recipe? You’re gonna love the meaty goodness in yum nua and the spicy Thai seafood salad known as yum talay never disappoints.
What are glass noodles
Glass noodles are transparent noodles made primarily from starches like mung bean, potato, or tapioca. Popular in many Southeast Asian cuisine, they’re often used in stir-fries, salads, and soups.
Unlike traditional wheat-based noodles, glass noodles are gluten-free and turn transparent or translucent when cooked.
Glass noodles are totally healthy. They absorb a lot of water and fill you up quickly. They’re high in carbs and low in fats, so not the best option for those on a keto diet.
Glass noodles go by many names. I’ve seen them called cellophane noodles, mung bean noodles, Chinese vermicelli, bean vermicelli, and bean thread noodles.
In Korean cuisine, they’re known as “japchae”, in Chinese cuisine as “fěn sī”, and Thai food lovers known them as “woon sen”.
Check out some of my other Thai glass noodles dishes:
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Glass noodles – You have to use these noodles for this Thai glass noodle salad recipe. They soak up the spicy dressing and all the other flavors. Do not confuse them for rice vermicelli, which look similar.
- Ground pork – Ground pork adds a savory flavor that totally complements the other ingredients. Many Thai recipes may call for shrimp, but this easy yum woon sen pork is just my personal preference.
- Pickled garlic water – In our family, we often add pickled garlic water to a salad with glass noodles. You can ask for it in an Asian grocery store or at Asian markets. If you can’t find it, you can simply omit it.
- White sugar – A pinch of sugar balances out the sour and spicy elements of the dressing.
- Fish sauce – Umami fish sauce mixed with fresh lime juice, sugar, and chilies results in an irresistible dressing that can be tossed with just about anything.
- Lime – Fresh lime juice is an absolute must. It gives you that signature sour tang you absolutely NEED in this salad.
- Chilies – Thai chilies like bird’s eye chilies bring a good amount of heat. My grandmother has a bunch of them in her yard, so we never ever run out.
- Onion, coriander, Chinese celery, cherry tomatoes, green onions – These are my go-to vegetables and herbs for many summer salads. Feel free to switch it up!
- Roasted peanuts – Optional but recommended. A sprinkle of roasted peanuts adds a delightful crunch and a delicious nutty flavor.
Short recipe video
Step-by-step instructions
This easy yum woon sen recipe comes together quickly. First, we’ll cook the pork, then the glass noodles, and then we’ll toss the salad. So easy!
-
Cook the pork and glass noodles
1. Soak your glass noodles in cold water for about 10 minutes, or follow the package instructions.
2. Bring water to a boil in a large pot or wok over high heat. Add the pork and cook until done.
3. While the pork is nearly cooked, add your glass noodles to the boiling water. The cooking time varies by brand, so check the package for guidance.
4. Drain the cooked pork and noodles in a sieve, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. -
Toss the glass noodle salad
Gently toss in the fish sauce, white sugar, pickled garlic water, coriander, Chinese celery, green onions, chilies, lime juice, onions, and tomatoes.
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Add roasted peanuts
Stir in the roasted peanuts and let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Tips for the best salad with glass noodles
- Use fresh ingredients. This salad is supposed to be refreshing and healthy, so you have to use fresh vegetables and herbs.
- Avoid overcooking the glass noodles. They only need a minute or less in boiling water. Don’t overcook them, as they will be mushy.
- Use high quality ingredients. Use a high quality fish sauce like red boat fish sauce.
- Season to taste. Before serving, taste-test and adjust the flavors to your preference. Focus on the sour and spicy flavor, adjusting the lime juice and chilies if needed.
Kitchen tools
- Cutting board and chef’s knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Large mixing bowl and kitchen tongs for tossing the salad.
- Pot or wok for boiling the water to cook the pork and glass noodles.
- Colander
How to customize this Thai noodle salad recipe
Thai yum woon sen pork is one of the most versatile salads ever. You can easily switch up the ingredients to make this a family favorite.
- Yum salads are known for their spicy and sour flavor profile. If that’s not your thing, you can easily lower the number of Thai chilies or use milder chilies like jalapeños or Anaheim pepper.
- You can swap out Chinese celery for regular celery or bok choy. Feel free to toss in other greens like shallots or red onions.
- It’s easy to switch the ground pork with chicken, beef, shrimp, or other seafood (talay).
- Tip: This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Cook the noodles and pork in advance, and toss everything when you’re ready.
- Use more or less noodles to your preference, and adjust the seasonings to your spice buds.
- Tip: This bean thread noodles salad is a great meal to prepare ahead of time, just cook the noodles and the pork in advance and mix together everything later.
How to serve
Yum woon sen is great on its own for a quick lunch or dinner, but it pairs well with other dishes too. Garnish with herbs and roasted peanuts.
I once went to a Thai restaurant where they served yum woon sen as an appetizer in little glass cups. At the bottom was a juicy shrimp, so delicious!
Here are some dishes that go well with yum woon sen:
- Thai beef panang curry
- Chicken pad Thai
- Thai fish cakes
- Som tum Thai (Thai papaya salad)
- Moo yang (Thai grilled pork)
How to store
Store the leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for another 2 days, but the noodles will soak up the dressing so they might get a bit mushy. If possible, store the dressing and noodles separately.
Did you know?
- The name “yum” in Thai refers to the type of salad that is spicy and sour. “Woon sen” is Thai for glass noodles.
- Many Thais view bean thread noodles as diet food because they absorb a lot of water and fill you up quickly.
- In Isan, Northeast Thailand, sharing food is our culture. This Thai salad is perfect for sharing or as a side.
- For Thai people, this salad is just as popular as papaya salad or pad Thai.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Can glass noodles be eaten cold?
Yes, glass noodles can be enjoyed cold, especially in salads. They soak up flavors really well, so they’re just as delicious cold as they are hot.
How long does it take to cook glass noodles?
Glass noodles have to be cooked for a quick 1 to 5 minutes, following the package instructions. Once they’re cooked, they’ll turn translucent. Don’t forget to soak them in cold water for 10 minutes first.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, but double-check your fish sauce labeling to ensure your brand is gluten-free.
Can I make this in advance?
Totally. Prep the noodles, pork, and vegetables ahead of time. Toss everything with the dressing when you’re ready.
What is the difference between yum woon sen and pad woon sen?
Both are Thai dishes. Yum woon sen is a cold glass noodle salad with a tangy, spicy dressing. Pad woon sen is a stir-fried glass noodle dish, typically with some protein and vegetables.
More Thai salads you’ll love
- Thai cucumber salad for satay
- Thai pomelo salad recipe
- Yum kanom jeen – Cold Thai rice noodle salad.
- Larb ped recipe – Easy duck salad with fresh herbs and spices.
- Larb gai salad – Authentic larb salad with minced chicken.
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Yum Woon Sen Pork (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
Description
Yum woon sen pork is a Thai salad that's both spicy and sour, perfect for a light meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Cook the pork and glass noodles
1. Soak your glass noodles in cold water for about 10 minutes, or follow the package instructions.
2. Bring water to a boil in a large pot or wok over high heat. Add the pork and cook until done.
3. While the pork is nearly cooked, add your glass noodles to the boiling water. The cooking time varies by brand, so check the package for guidance.
4. Drain the cooked pork and noodles in a sieve, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. -
Toss the glass noodle salad
Gently toss in the fish sauce, white sugar, pickled garlic water, coriander, Chinese celery, green onions, chilies, lime juice, onions, and tomatoes.
-
Add roasted peanuts
Stir in the roasted peanuts and let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 591kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16.6g26%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Total Carbohydrate 71g24%
- Dietary Fiber 11.3g46%
- Sugars 21.7g
- Protein 44.3g89%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Avoid overcooking the glass noodles. Follow the package instructions for soaking and cooking time.
- Adjust seasonings and spices to your personal preference.
- Before serving, allow the flavors to blend together for several minutes.
- Store in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
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