Easy Thai Noodle Bowl Recipe

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This easy Thai noodle bowl recipe makes a quick and easy meal full of flavor. It’s packed with rice noodles, vegetables, and your favorite meat, all tossed in a delicious savory, spicy, and sweet sauce.

Thai noodle bowl with vegetables and protein in a clay bowl.

Thai noodles are my favorite comfort food! Whether it’s a fresh Thai salad like yum woon sen, a classic chicken pad Thai, or a savory beef pad see ew, I simply can’t get enough of them.

This rice noodle recipe brings together the best flavors of a Thai soup in a sauce that’s tossed with noodles. It’s basically a dry noodle bowl that’s super yummy and really easy to put together, similar to dry tom yum noodles!

What is a Thai noodle bowl

A Thai noodle bowl is a bowl of noodles mixed in a savory sauce with vegetables, protein, and herbs. It’s delicious street food that balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy – the key flavors of Thai cuisine.

Dry noodle bowl recipe

This is my version of Thai dry noodle bowl. It’s not something you’d typically find at a Thai restaurant, but dry noodles can sometimes be found at street food stalls. I think they’re perfect for making at home because you can easily customize the flavors.

I’m a big fan of Thai noodle soup, but not the biggest fan of waiting hours for the broth to simmer. That’s where this recipe comes in – it packs those similar flavors but skips the broth. In Thailand, we call it a dry soup.

If you cook Thai food often, you can add ingredients to taste and experiment with flavors. I’ve added look chin, which are Thai meatballs, crisp vegetables, and you can simply add your favorite meat or use pork like I did.

The steps are straightforward, and the Thai noodle bowl is really easy to make. Feel free to customize this recipe with the many customization options coming up after the instructions!

Ingredients

Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Thai noodle bowl sauce

This is the tasty sauce that the noodles, protein, and vegetables are mixed with.

An arrangement of Thai noodle bowl ingredients including water, vinegar, dark soy, white sugar, chili flakes, golden mountain sauce, and fish sauce in terracotta dishes.

Golden mountain sauce – This Thai seasoning sauce is made from soybeans and salt. It’s saltier than light soy sauce and adds a strong flavor to dishes.
White sugar – A little sugar helps balance the spicy and savory flavors.
Dark soy sauce – This sauce makes the noodles dark and adds a subtle sweet taste.
Fish sauce – Fish sauce is a key ingredient in Thai food for its salty and umami taste.
Thai chili flakes – Thai chili flakes are added to the sauce to give the noodles a spicy kick.
White vinegar – Vinegar adds a tangy taste to the sauce.
Water – Used to adjust the sauce’s consistency, making it mix well with the noodles, proteins, and veggies.

Noodles – vegetables – proteins

These are the ingredients for assembling your noodle bowl.

Pork – You can pick any protein you like for this recipe. Try pork tenderloin, pork shoulder, beef, chicken, or even tofu if you want something vegetarian. You can also add Thai meatballs (look chin), which you can find frozen at Asian markets.
Rice noodles – Use dry or fresh rice noodles, whichever you prefer. Dry ones are usually easier to find at Asian stores. You can also use glass noodles, egg noodles, and instant noodles.
Chinese broccoli – I love the fresh, crisp taste of Chinese broccoli in this dish. You can also use other veggies you like.
Bean sprouts – Add bean sprouts on top for a nice crunch right before you eat.
Green onions, coriander – These are great for adding on top before serving.

Cooking instructions

Thai noodle bowl sauce cooking in a pan.

Step 1: In a wok or pot over medium heat, combine water, white sugar, golden mountain sauce, fish sauce, vinegar, dried chili flakes, and dark soy sauce. Stir well until everything is mixed and you start to see bubbles. Set aside.

Step 2: Boil water in a pot or pan over medium heat. Cook your chosen protein (chicken, pork, etc.) until it’s completely cooked through, then set aside.

Step 3: Follow the instructions on the noodle package to cook them perfectly. If you’re using dry rice noodles, you have to soak them in water first.

Step 4: Give your Chinese broccoli a quick blanch in boiling water for 10 seconds, then remove.

Step 5: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked ingredients with sauce to your taste. Toss until the noodles and protein are fully coated with the delicious sauce. Top your dish with a handful of bean sprouts, a sprinkle of green onions and fresh coriander, and Thai chili flakes for extra spice.

Kitchen tools

Cutting board and chef’s knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Cooking pot with colander
Serving bowl

Noodle recipe customization options

Customize the ingredients: Feel free to adjust the amount of rice noodles, vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Choose your protein: Sub the pork for chicken, beef, shrimp, or even squid. Each protein adds a unique flavor to this Thai dish. Different flavors of meatballs are available at Asian grocery stores.
Vegetarian noodles: The spicy pork noodles can easily be turned into a vegetarian-friendly dish by swapping the meat for tofu. Add extra veggies like morning glory for more crunch and colors. Substitute the fish sauce with vegetarian fish sauce.
Make it spicy: Give an extra kick to your Thai noodle bowl by sprinkling in extra Thai chili flakes.

Serving your Thai noodles right

In Thailand, noodle soups, whether soupy or dry, are always served with a selection of condiments.

Crispy fried garlic: A staple in any Thai household, crispy garlic makes any noodle dish crunchy and garlicky.
Thai chili flakes: If you like spicy noodles, just add a bit of red pepper flakes.
Prik nam pla: A Thai table condiment made with chilies and fish sauce.
Fresh herbs: Garnish with some fresh herbs like coriander, basil, or mint to make your noodles smell great and taste fresh.
Side dishes: Add some light sides like a som tum Thai salad or Thai vegetables stir-fry to make dinner even better.

What to do with leftovers

Your noodle bowl is best consumed immediately. The noodles will become soggy if you store them. If you do find yourself with leftovers, they can be refrigerated in an airtight container, but first let them cool to room temperature.

If you have leftover sauce, you can keep it in your fridge for several days in an airtight container.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

For the freshest taste and best flavor, it’s a good idea to cook the meat, vegetables, and noodles just before you’re ready to serve. The sauce can be made in advance.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, but you can use a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

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