Vietnamese Pork and Seafood Noodle Soup (Hu Tieu Mi)

What is Hủ Tiếu

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its diverse and flavorful noodle soups, and Hủ Tiếu is no exception.

Originating from Chinese immigrants in Cambodia and then making its way to southern Vietnam, this famous noodle soup features a clear, savory broth made by simmering pork and/or chicken bones, and dried shrimp and squid to add many different dimensions of flavor.

You may see it on restaurant menus as Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang for its Cambodian influence.

Hủ Tiếu is to south Vietnam as Phở is to north Vietnam, and Bún Bò Huế is to central Vietnam. It stands out as the most versatile Vietnamese noodle soup due to its numerous variations. It can be enjoyed with three different types of noodles and customized with an extensive range of toppings.

Additionally, it can be served in two distinct ways. It can be served as the traditional wet version with a flavorful broth. It can also be served as dry where the noodles and other components are placed in the bowl with a dollop of sauce and a small bowl of broth on the side.

The dry version of Hủ Tiếu is known as Hủ Tiếu Khô, while a variation made with wheat or egg noodles is known as Mì Khô. If you opt for the version with a combination of toppings, it may be referred to as Thập Cẩm, as in Hủ Tiếu Khô Thập Cẩm or Mì Khô Thập Cẩm depending on the type of noodles used.

Dried Seafood

Dried shrimp (Tôm Khô) and dried squid (Khô Mực) are essential ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in the preparation of Hủ Tiếu broth. Toast them over high heat to get the aroma going then add them to the stock pot. These dried seafood ingredients infuse the broth with a unique and authentic flavor profile.

Dried shrimp and dried squid can be found at most Asian grocery store, such as Chinese, Vietnamese, or Thai markets. Some specialty food markets may carry these items in their international food section.

How to Make Hủ Tiếu Broth

Step 1: Blanch the pork bones

This step helps to remove any impurities and ensure a clear broth. Rinse the pork bones under cold water and place them in a pot of boiling water. Let them boil for 8 minutes, then drain and rinse them again.

Step 2: Roast the aromatics and dried seafood

Place the yellow onions, dried shrimp, and dried squid on a baking tray and roast them in a small toaster oven until aromatic. You can also do this the traditional way by placing the onions and dried seafood over an open flame until lightly charred on the outside. Scrap off any burnt pieces, if any, to prevent darkening the broth.

Step 3: Make the broth

In a clean pot, add the blanched pork bones, roasted yellow onions, roasted dried shrimp, roasted dried squid, and daikon. Cover with water and bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for about two hours. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Remove all the solids from the pot. Season to taste with salt, sugar, fish sauce, and bouillon powder.

Step 4: Prepare the other ingredients (vegetables, garnishes, and protein toppings)

Making the broth is the main step, but what makes the dish is all the tasty options that top the bowl. These include, but are not limited to, sliced BBQ pork, hard-boiled quail eggs, shrimp, calamari, fried pork crackling/fat, and so much more. More information below with recipe links to each component below.

Step 5: Serve

To serve, add cooked noodles to a bowl. Add your meaty toppings. Add your vegetables. Ladle in hot broth and garnish with pickled jalapenos, fried pork fat, fried shallots, green onions, and freshly ground black pepper. Alternatively, serve it “dry” with a thick dark sauce and a small bowl of broth on the side.

Hủ Tiếu Noodles

You can use three types of noodles for Hủ Tiếu:

• Hủ Tiếu noodles — White noodles made from tapioca starch or a combination of rice flour and tapioca starch for a chewier texture.
• Phở noodles — White noodles that are physically similar to Hủ Tiếu noodles but more delicate in texture, as they are made from solely rice flour. No one really would be able to tell the difference between Phở and Hủ Tiếu noodles. This is why I use them interchangeably sometimes.
• Mì noodles — These are yellow noodles made from wheat flour and sometimes eggs.

Hủ Tiếu Meaty Toppings

Hủ Tiếu can be daunting to make at home because of all of the various toppings but these toppings make the dish and are oh-so worth it when you’re done. Toppings may include a few items listed below or all of them for a fully loaded bowl of deliciousness:

• Sliced pork simply boiled or Chinese BBQ pork
• Ground pork
• Fish balls
• Shrimp
• Squid
• Quail eggs
• Pork liver
• Pork kidney

Hủ Tiếu Vegetables, Garnishes & Condiments

• Garlic chives
• Bean sprouts
• Fried shallots
• Pickled jalapenos
• Chili oil

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