| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins – 35 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 357 | 16g | 2g | 44g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 4g | 12g | 2.2g |
Why I Love Malaysian Vegan Prawn Noodle Soup
When some folks hear the words ‘Vegan Prawn Noodle Soup’, their first reaction might be to scratch their heads. Prawns? And vegan? How could this possibly come together in something that tastes good? As someone who’s journeyed through dozens of recipes, all the way from my roots back in Louisiana with its Creole richness to my Francophone roots and their elegant éclairs, I assure you, it’s possible and it’s absolutely delicious.
What Makes this Noodle Soup Special
There’s something beautiful in the symphony of flavors that this Vegan Prawn Noodle Soup presents. It’s not quite gumbo, but there’s a richness and complexity here that’s certainly reminiscent of that classic Louisiana dish. Beyond the juxtaposition of hearty broth and delicate rice noodles, there’s the burst of umami flavor from the vegan prawn paste and shiitake mushrooms. There’s an earthy spice from the red chilies and the miso paste. Then there’s the freshness of the bok choy and bean sprouts, intermingled with the punch from the green onions, all rounded off by the citrusy note of the lime wedge. And let’s not forget those vegan prawns that lend a seafood-like essence without a hint of actual seafood. It’s a tour-de-force of pan-Asian flavors.
Inspiration Behind the Recipe
One cannot talk about Asian cuisine without taking a bow to the master herself, Norma Chikiamco. While I have cooked my way through many recipes, blending in my Creole and French background, Norma’s take on Southeast Asian cuisine was a true inspiration when putting together this Vegan Prawn Noodle Soup. Her unerring respect for the quality and integrity of each ingredient is a lesson for anyone in the kitchen.
A companion dish that springs to mind when savoring this soup would be a refreshing Mango Salad, or perhaps some crispy Spring Rolls, both of which would complement the robust flavors of this soup brilliantly.
What started with curiosity quickly turned into total infatuation for this Malaysian inspired Vegan Prawn Noodle Soup. Complex, versatile, and satisfying, it is a dish that has earned its place in my regular dining repertoire and I harbor a strong feeling might find a place in yours too.
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons vegan prawn paste
- 2 red chilies, chopped
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup miso paste
- 6 servings of rice noodles, cooked according to package instructions
- 18 vegan prawns
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 2 cups bok choy, sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 6 lime wedges, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes, for garnish
Method
Step One
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped garlic and onion to the pot. Cook them until they are soft and translucent.
Step Two
Add the vegan prawn paste and chopped red chilies into the pot. Stir the mixture well, ensuring the garlic and onion are evenly coated in the paste.
Step Three
Pour the vegetable broth into the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring the broth to a rolling boil.
Step Four
Once boiling, add the sliced shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, and miso paste to the soup. Stir well until the miso paste has dissolved completely.
Step Five
Lower the heat to a simmer and let the soup cook for about 20 minutes. This should allow the flavors to blend together nicely.
Step Six
While the soup is simmering, cook your rice noodles according to the instructions on the package.
Step Seven
Add the vegan prawns, bean sprouts, and sliced bok choy to the soup. Stir well and allow the soup to simmer for a further 10 minutes.
Step Eight
Divide the cooked rice noodles among six bowls. Ladle the soup over the noodles in each bowl, ensuring each serving has equal amounts of vegetables and prawns.
Step Nine
Garnish each bowl with sliced green onions, a wedge of lime, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
Now your Vegan Prawn Noodle Soup is ready to be served. Enjoy this delicious and hearty meal!
