Miến Lươn Recipe

Miến lươn is a Vietnamese eel glass noodle soup combining the subtle exotic flavors of eel with the smooth texture of glass noodles, all immersed in a rich, savory broth. The harmonious blend of sweet and umami flavors notes a hearty and comforting meal.

Not only is miến lươn incredibly satisfying, but it is also easy, quick, and simple to prepare. This means you can enjoy this scrumptious soup whenever the craving strikes without spending hours in the kitchen. So why not give the recipe a try?

Miến Lươn – A Creative Delight with Eel

Miến lươn is a healthy Vietnamese delicacy celebrated for its unique textures and delightful flavors. This nutritious culinary gem can be found in renowned restaurants throughout Hanoi and is also considered a local specialty in Ninh Binh and Nghe An.

The soup is crafted using high-quality glass noodles, preferably ones made from mung beans, succulent eel meat, and an array of fragrant herbs and spices. There are 2 variations of this dish: dry and soup-based.

In the dry version, eel and noodles are skillfully stir-fried with aromatic spices and served alongside fresh herbs, chili, and a tangy dipping sauce.

For the soup-based version, a rich and flavorful broth made from eel bones and ginger is poured over the noodles and eel, then garnished with finely chopped scallions and herbs.

Some modern restaurants opt for dried eel, which is coated in batter and deep-fried to add an extra layer of crunch. No matter the variation, eel glass noodle soup showcases the best that Vietnamese cuisine has to offer.

Kitchen Equipment to Cook Miến Lươn

Let’s gather the essential tools needed to create a delightful bowl of eel glass noodle soup.

Other tools you might need: Saucepan, wooden spoon, shears, and food prep gloves.

Ingredients of Miến Lươn

An enjoyable bowl of eel glass noodle soup starts with a selection of quality ingredients. In the following list, I’ll outline the core components that make up this soup.

Directions of Making Miến Lươn

By following these straightforward directions in this section, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a warm and comforting bowl of this flavorful soup.

Step 1: Prepare The Ingredients

Rinse the vegetables and drain them.

Rub the eels with salt, then clean them in white wine, vinegar, and lime juice. Do this step 2 to 3 times to remove the slime from the skin. Then, rinse them once again in water and drain them.

Cut an onion in half. Keep one-half whole and slice the other half thinly. You’ll use the onion slices for serving. Chop the cilantro and laksa leaves finely.

Wash the glass noodles and soak them in water for 15 minutes. Then, cut them into manageable lengths and drain them.

Step 2: Boil The Eels

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add

Add the eels and boil them for 3 minutes to get rid of the odor and slime. Then, remove the eels from the pot.

Set another pot of water on the stove. Add half an onion, 3 shallots, and a few ginger slices, and boil the water for 2 minutes. Then, add the eels and cook them for 10 minutes over medium heat.

Once done, take the eels out of the pot. Allow them to cool a little. Put your food prep gloves on and remove the bones. You can use the bones to add extra flavor to the broth later on, so don’t throw them away. Divide the eels into two portions, one for stir-frying and the other for frying.

Step 3: Stir Fry The Eels

Heat some olive oil in a pan and saute the minced garlic and shallots until fragrant. Add the turmeric and ginger and saute them. Once the ingredients are golden and aromatic, add half of the eels and give everything a good stir.

Season the eels with fish sauce and pepper. Continue to stir-fry them for 3 to 5 minutes over low heat. Remember to stir gently so as not to break apart the eels.

Step 4: Fry The Eels

Toss the remaining eels in cornstarch. Then, heat some oil in the pan and add the eels.

Fry them until golden brown on all sides. Next, transfer them onto paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

Step 5: Make The Broth

Add 2.5 quarts of pork bone broth and the eel bones into a pot. Boil them for 5 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat. Season the broth with sugar, salt, and soup powder. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste.

Step 6: Blanch The Glass Noodles

After draining the glass noodles, blanch them in a pot of boiling water for 30 to 40 seconds. Then, put them in serving bowls.

Step 7: Serve The Dish

Ladle the broth into the bowls so that it slightly covers the glass noodles. Add the fried and stir-fried on top and garnish with the cilantro, laksa leaves, scallions, and fried shallots.

Serve your noodle soup with fish sauce, chili sauce, lime juice, and chili pepper to enhance the flavor.

Notes While Making Miến Lươn

As you master the art of preparing Vietnamese eel glass noodle soup, remember these essential notes.

How to Store Eel Glass Noodle Soup

To store Vietnamese eel glass noodle soup, follow these simple steps to ensure it stays fresh and delicious.

First, it’s essential to separate the components of the dish. Keep the cooked eel, glass noodles, and broth in separate airtight containers. This prevents the noodles from becoming soggy and the flavors from blending too much.

Place the containers in the refrigerator, where they can be stored for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy the dish again, simply reheat the broth and eel separately, then combine them with the noodles.

Tips for Choosing The Freshest Eels

If you’re new to cooking eels, you might find it a bit daunting to select the right ones. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to make things easier.

Other Variations of Miến Lươn That You Can Try

In this section, I’ll guide you through some alternative styles of glass noodle with eel, offering fresh takes on this classic dish.

If you’re a fan of Vietnamese noodle soups, there are numerous delicious recipes you can explore and enjoy. Each dish offers its own unique flavors and textures.

FAQs

Let’s tackle some of the most frequently asked questions that might prevent you from giving miến lươn a try.

Embrace The Miến Lươn Experience

With its mouth-watering combination of rich, savory, and umami-rich broth, tender eel, and slippery glass noodles, miến lươn is truly a unique experience for your taste buds. Now it’s your turn to give this incredible dish a go and relish in its distinctive taste.

Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or feedback in the comments below. If you’ve enjoyed this article, feel free to share it with friends and family to introduce them to the wonders of Vietnamese eel glass noodle soup. Happy cooking, and enjoy your noodle soup!