Thai noodle salad is usually known as "Yum Mama", the instant noodle tossed with spicy dressing, one of the most famous spicy salads.
"Mama" is the instant noodle that comes with flavouring soup base in a package. The instant noodle is typically fried as part of the manufacturing process which resulting in high amount of saturated fat and, maybe, trans fat.
Considering a healthy option, I choose to use dried egg noodle – bami, instead. The ideal dried egg noodle should be a small thread. The dried egg noodle needs to be cooked in boiling water, rinsed in cold water and drained.
Combine this cooked noodle with fresh ingredients such as coriander leaves, spring onion, shallot, tomato and cucumber with the cooked minced meat in boiling water (blanching). The minced meat for this recipe can be chicken, pork or whole prawns and squid rings. Then toss with the full flavored and spicy dressing!
The salad dressing is the key to this Thai noodle salad. Without it, there is no flavor. It consists of roasted chili paste, fresh lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, garlic and fresh chili! This salad dressing is one of my top favorite salad recipes that can be used with many Thai salad recipes. Try it!
This fresh and spicy salad is best served for summer lunch.