Phnom Penh Noodle Soup Recipe

Step 1

Make the pork broth by bringing to boil 2 litres of pork stock (see section above recipe "How to Make Pork Stock"), then turn down to low, season with salt, white pepper and sugar (optional), then simmer.

Step 2

While the pork broth is coming to a boil, prep your garnish: roughly chop the romaine lettuce leaves (although Cambodians will often pop whole leaves into a soup), blanche the bean sprouts, sliced the scallions/spring onions, pluck the fresh coriander (cilantro) and fresh basil leaves off the stems, slice the bird’s eye chillies, and quarter and de-seed the limes, and set aside.

Step 3

In a small-medium fry pan on high heat, add a splash of neutral cooking oil and quickly fry the pork ribs with a pinch of salt and white pepper until just-cooked and they have colour, then set aside (do not over-cook them), then fry the pork mince with salt and white pepper until just-cooked and set aside.

Step 4

Pop the prawns on a slotted spoon and dip them in the pork stock until they turn orange then immediately remove them and set them aside.

Step 5

Using a stainless-steel spider, strainer or mesh basket with handle, dip the dried noodles into the pork broth (these should only take a couple of minutes to cook), then distribute the noodles evenly between the soup bowls.

Step 6

Ladle the pork broth into the bowls then distribute the pork mince, pork ribs and prawns between the bowls; arrange the fresh garnishes and sprinkle some deep-fried garlic and deep-fried shallots onto the pork mince, and perhaps a splash of chilli oil and sprinkle of chilli flakes, and serve immediately.

Step 7

Squeeze lime quarters into the bowl, and add splashes of fish sauce or chilli sauce, and sliced bird’s eye chillies, as you like.