Skip to main content

Vietnamese “Beef” Noodle Soup

This Asian soup is brimming with invigorating flavors and textures. I love it as a change of pace in the winter from thick soups and stews. It’s still every bit as warming. Despite the length of the ingredient list, this is a quick soup—you’ll be eating in about half an hour.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

3- to 4-ounce bundle fine rice noodles or bean-thread noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
One 32-ounce carton low-sodium vegetable broth
One 5- to 6-inch piece kombu (sea vegetable), optional
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, or more to taste
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
2 cups water
6 to 8 ounces seitan, cut into thin shreds
1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons lime juice, or more to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Thinly sliced lime sections for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook the noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and cut into shorter lengths suitable for soup. Set aside until needed.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the garlic and shallot and sauté over medium-low heat until both are golden.

    Step 3

    Add the broth, optional kombu, soy sauce, ginger, five-spice powder, and water. Bring to a rapid simmer, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Add the seitan, bean sprouts, half of the scallions, and half of the cilantro. Season with lime juice, pepper, and if desired, some additional soy sauce. Simmer for 3 minutes longer, then remove from the heat.

    Step 5

    Serve at once, garnishing the top of each serving with a thin slice or two of lime, and the remaining cilantro and scallions.

  2. Nutrition Information

    Step 6

    Per serving:

    Step 7

    Calories: 132

    Step 8

    Total fat: 3g

    Step 9

    Protein: 10g

    Step 10

    Fiber: 1g

    Step 11

    Carbohydrate: 17g

    Step 12

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 13

    Sodium: 560mg

Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews for All Seasons
Read More
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A birthday favorite in the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.