Cao lầu

A bowl of cao lầu

Cao lầu is a soup made with noodles, pork, and greens that can be found only in the town of Hội An, in the Quang Nam Province of central Vietnam. Its unique taste is rumoured to be contributed by the water from an undisclosed ancient Cham well just outside of the town.

Recipe

To serve 3-4 people

Ingredients:

• 300g pork
• 2 cups Hokkien-style rice noodles
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• Pinch chicken stock powder
• Cashew root powder (or just paprika), just used for colour
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• Lettuce and Asian greens
• Pepper
• Rice paper croutons
• Spring onions

Method:

1. Heat oil and paprika.
2. Fry pork with smashed garlic, soy sauce, chicken stock and spices for 3 minutes
3. Add 1 tbsp water and fry for a further 2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, put aside.
5. Put hot water on heat and add sprouts, cook for 1-2 minutes until soft.
6. Remove sprouts, add noodles and cook noodles for 2 minutes.
7. Put noodles in a bowl, on top of lettuce and greens, add pork, chopped spring onions, croutons, and pepper.

External links

• Cao lầu article
• Cao lầu phố Hội, cao lầu Hội An article