Step 1

(Optional if Adding Glass Noodles) Soak the glass noodles in room temperature water for 10 minutes and then drain and set aside.

Step 2

Remove the first layer of the lemongrass and cut them into large chunks. Use the back of your knife or something blunt like a rolling pin to smash it to release the oils.

Step 3

Slice the onions and roughly chop the garlic and set it aside.

Step 4

Slice the galangal and place it in the pot

Step 5

Cut the vegetables and mushroom into bite-sized pieces and set aside

Step 6

If you are using frozen shrimp, thaw it before using it. Peel the shrimp and remove the head but keep the tail on. Set the shells aside for later.Alternatively, you can keep the heads and shells on as well.(Optional) Devein the shrimp and set aside

Step 7

(Optional) If you are using chilies, cut the chilies in half and set them aside.

Step 8

Rip the kaffir lime leaves in half and place it in the soup pot.

Step 9

Place the lemongrass, onions, galangal, and garlic into the pot.

Step 10

If you have shrimp skin and shrimp heads, add that to the pot as well.

Step 11

Add the broth and water into the pot and set the pot on medium-high heat until it starts to boil

Step 12

Once it starts to boil, adjust the heat to low heat and put a lid on it. Simmer it for 30 minutes

Step 13

Once 30 minutes is up, taste the broth. It shouldn't have any saltiness to it but it should have some citrus flavor from the lemongrass and lime leaves. If it doesn't, cook it for another 10-15 minutes.

Step 14

Once you have finished cooking the broth, remove all the aromatics, shrimp skin, and shrimp head. They are not meant to be eaten, only to flavor the soup.

Step 15

Turn the heat back up to medium

Step 16

Add the chili paste ½ tablespoon at a time, and do a taste test to make sure it is not too spicy. Add up to 1 ½ tablespoons, until it is the right amount of spiciness for you.

Step 17

Put in the vegetables and mushrooms and cook them for 1-2 minutes.

Step 18

Add in the shrimp and cook it for 1-1 ½ minutes. Shrimp cooks very quickly, as long as it is fully thawed.

Step 19

Turn off the heat

Step 20

Add in the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Stir and taste. Adjust it to your liking. (Add more lime juice if you like it tart etc)**Adding the lime juice and fish sauce in after the heat has been turned off, retains the flavor better.

Step 21

If you are using glass noodles, add them to the pot of soup and let them cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 22

Ladle it into a bowl and enjoy! :)