Thai Glass Noodle Salad Recipe: A Fresh and Flavorful Thai Dish

Thai Glass Noodle Salad, also known as Yum Woon Sen, is a vibrant, refreshing dish that showcases the delicate glass noodles, or sen mee, in a tangy and savory dressing. This Thai salad combines the traditional ingredients of Thai cuisine, like lime, fish sauce, and chili, to create a light and zesty noodle dish that can be served as a main course or as a side for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re in search of a quick and delicious Thai lunch or a satisfying Thai-style noodle salad for a party, this Burmese Noodle Salad-inspired dish is perfect for any occasion.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad is well-known for its ability to combine the spicy and sour components of Thai flavors, offering a delicious balance in every bite. The dish is typically served cold, making it the perfect choice for hot weather or a light meal that can be eaten any time of the day. With its delicate glass noodles, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-spicy dressing, it is sure to be a hit whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying it on your own as a satisfying lunch or dinner.

What is Thai Glass Noodle Salad?

Thai Glass Noodle Salad, known as Yum Woon Sen in Thai, is a fresh and flavorful dish that features transparent glass noodles, vegetables, and proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu. The noodles, made from mung bean starch, give this dish its signature texture, which is both soft and chewy. This dish is typically served cold, making it an excellent choice for a warm-weather meal.

In addition to its distinctive noodles, the dish is known for its bold flavors, blending salty, sweet, sour, and spicy elements into one harmonious bite. The salad’s dressing, made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili, provides a perfect balance of taste, and is complemented by fresh herbs and vegetables such as cilantro, mint, and thinly sliced onions.

In addition to its refreshing nature, Thai Glass Noodle Salad is also versatile. Depending on the occasion or personal preference, you can add proteins like shrimp, chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian variation. Some may also add extra vegetables, making the dish an even more substantial meal. Whether you refer to it as Yam Woon Sen, Shrimp Noodle Saladou même Burmese Noodle Salad, this dish is an excellent way to showcase the beloved flavors of Thai cuisine.

Ingredients for Thai Glass Noodle Salad

Before diving into the steps of preparing this fresh and delicious Thai salad, let’s go over the ingredients you’ll need. This recipe is packed with fresh vegetables, proteins, and of course, glass noodles, making it a nutrient-dense dish full of flavor.

For the salad:

• Glass noodles (Sen Mee) – 100g (you can find them in most Asian grocery stores)
• Shrimp – 200g (peeled and deveined)
• Red onion – ½, thinly sliced
• Carrot – 1, julienned
• Concombre – 1, julienned or thinly sliced
• Cherry tomatoes – 5 to 6, halved
• La coriandre – 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Mint leaves – 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Roasted peanuts – 2 tablespoons, crushed (optional, for added crunch)

For the dressing:

• Fish sauce – 2 tablespoons
• Lime juice – 2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
• Sucre – 1 tablespoon (preferably palm sugar, but any sugar works)
• Chili – 1 to 2, thinly sliced (or more if you prefer it spicy)
• L'ail – 2 cloves, minced

Optional add-ins:

• Chopped cilantro stems – adds a bit more herbal freshness
• Lettuce leaves – if you want to serve this dish with a crisp, green base

This combination of ingredients will give you a satisfying and colorful Thai noodle salad. The sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements come together in the most satisfying way!

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Thai Glass Noodle Salad

1. Prepare the Glass Noodles:
   • Begin by soaking the glass noodles in warm water for about 10 to 15 minutes until they soften. Be sure to stir occasionally to ensure the noodles don’t stick together. After they’ve softened, drain them and rinse them under cold water to prevent them from overcooking. Set the noodles aside to cool.
   Glass noodles are unique in their delicate texture and translucent appearance, which is why they’re such a prized ingredient in Thai cuisine. They absorb the flavors of the dressing beautifully, adding a chewy, satisfying texture to the salad.
2. Cook the Shrimp:
   • In a pot of boiling water, add the shrimp and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, drain the shrimp and set them aside to cool. You can also use chicken, tofu, or any other protein of your choice.
   Shrimp is often the protein of choice for this salad due to its delicate, sweet flavor that pairs so well with the zesty, spicy dressing. If you’re using shrimp, make sure they are cooked properly – you don’t want them overcooked, as that can make them tough.
3. Prepare the Vegetables:
   • While the noodles and shrimp cool, prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the red onion, julienne the carrot, and cucumber, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the cilantro and mint leaves and set them aside for garnishing.
   The combination of fresh vegetables provides both texture and crunch, adding a refreshing contrast to the glass noodles. You can experiment with adding other vegetables to the salad such as bell peppers or green beans for an added burst of flavor.
4. Make the Dressing:
   • In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chili, and minced garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the dressing is well-mixed. Adjust the sugar and lime juice to suit your personal taste, adding more sugar if you prefer a sweeter flavor or more lime juice for an extra tangy kick.
   The dressing is what truly elevates this dish. The combination of fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar gives the salad a well-balanced flavor that is both sweet and salty with a punch of acidity. The addition of garlic and chili gives the dressing a delightful kick.
5. Assemble the Salad:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the glass noodles, shrimp, vegetables, cilantro, and mint. Pour the dressing over the top and toss everything together to ensure the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated.
   This is where the magic happens – as you toss the ingredients together, the noodles soak up the dressing, and the vegetables get coated in the vibrant flavors of the fish sauce, lime, and garlic. Make sure to taste the salad as you go along, adjusting the seasoning if needed.
6. Serve and Garnish:
   • Once the salad is mixed, serve it on a platter or individual plates. Sprinkle with crushed roasted peanuts for a delightful crunch, and garnish with additional mint and cilantro for a fresh, aromatic touch.
   The peanuts not only add crunch, but they also give the salad a nuttiness that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients. The fresh herbs, such as cilantro and mint, provide a refreshing finish and an aromatic element that enhances the dish.

Serving Tips and Variations

This Thai Glass Noodle Salad is incredibly versatile. Here are a few tips for customizing it:

• Add Protein Variety: Instead of shrimp, you can use grilled chicken, shredded pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. The salad works with almost any protein, making it a great way to use leftovers.
• Incorporate Other Vegetables: For an extra dose of nutrition, feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, green onions, or even bean sprouts. These veggies add texture and flavor to the dish.
• Make it Spicy: If you enjoy spicier dishes, don’t hesitate to increase the amount of chili in the dressing. You can also add chili flakes or even a few drops of chili oil for an extra punch.
• Pairing Ideas: Thai Glass Noodle Salad is excellent on its own, but it can also be served as part of a larger Thai meal. Pair it with a hot and sour Thai soup, such as Tom Yum, or serve it alongside a Thai curry or grilled meats.

Why You’ll Love This Thai Glass Noodle Salad

• Fresh and Light: This salad is perfect for a refreshing lunch or side dish. The glass noodles have a delicate texture that pairs wonderfully with the zesty dressing, making it light yet filling.
• Emballé avec la Saveur: The combination of fish sauce, lime juice, chili, and garlic brings bold and satisfying flavors to every bite. The balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy is a hallmark of Thai cuisine.
• Quick and Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and minimal cooking time, this dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for a busy weeknight or a leisurely weekend lunch.
• Personnalisable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences, whether you want to make it spicier, add different proteins, or include more vegetables.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad: A Versatile Thai Dish

Whether you’re making it as a light lunch or a party appetizer, Thai Glass Noodle Salad is a dish that will never disappoint. The combination of soft glass noodles, flavorful shrimp or protein, and refreshing vegetables makes it a perfect addition to any Thai meal or a standalone dish.

For a more traditional variation of this salad, you can make Yam Woon Sen, or Thai-style noodle salad, by using thin rice noodles instead of glass noodles. Similarly, the addition of Burmese Noodle Salad elements, such as cilantro stems and chili oil, can elevate the dish with an added depth of flavor.

Incorporating Yum Woon Sen into your recipe rotation will give you a fantastic Thai dish that’s perfect for all occasions. Whether you’re craving a light and healthy meal or searching for a flavorful dish to share with friends and family, this Thai Glass Noodle Salad recipe will surely be a hit.

Conclusion:

Thai Glass Noodle Salad, also known as Yum Woon Sen, is a perfect blend of bold, bright flavors, light noodles, and fresh vegetables. Whether served as a light lunch, a side dish, or part of a larger Thai-inspired meal, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and always delicious. Whether you refer to it as Yam Woon Sen, Shrimp Noodle Salad, or a variation like Burmese Noodle Salad, this dish will become a go-to favorite in your kitchen for years to come.