Thai rice noodle salad
Thai rice noodle salad from Thailand.
Cook and rest are read from the method. Prep is estimated when the listing left it out. Optional overnight waits and leftover storage are not counted.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 19 min
- Rest
- 5 min
- Total
- 34 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- Mild
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price

About
Thai rice noodle salad is listed as vegetarian from Thailand. The steps below follow the imported method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.
What you'll need
15 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
- Bean sprouts200 g
- Lime2
- Brown sugar4.9 ml
- Pork500 g
- Gingerto taste
- Cayenne pepperto taste
- Sunflower oil4.9 ml
- Oil4.9 ml
- Beef4
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Place the noodles and beansprouts in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 4 mins, or until the noodles are tender. Drain, then cool under cold running water and drain again. Return to the bowl.
4 min
Step 2
Stir together the lime zest and juice, fish or soy sauce and sugar. Stir into the noodles with the red onion and lettuce.
Step 3
To make with mince, heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan and stir-fry 500g minced pork, a small knob of grated ginger and pinch cayenne pepper or chilli powder for 10 mins, until the mince is browned and cooked through. Mix into the noodles, divide between four bowls and serve warm.
10 min
Step 4
To make with steak, make the rice noodle salad. Heat 1 tsp sunflower oil in a frying pan. Tip 2 tbsp sesame seeds onto a plate. Rub 1 tsp oil into 4 x 175g sirloin steaks and press into sesame seeds. Fry for 5 mins for medium rare, turning halfway. Leave to rest for 5 mins, then thinly slice. Toss 1 deseeded and shredded red chilli, and a handful mint leaves into noodles. Top with steak to serve.
10 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 713 kcal
- Protein
- 59.1 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 44.1 g
- Saturated fat
- 12.3 g
- Fibre
- 6.5 g
- Sugar
- 7 g
- Sodium
- 2480 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Soy
- Fish
- Sesame
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 13 November.
Substitutions
lime → lemon
Works in most savoury cooking. Desserts may notice.
fish-sauce (soy sauce + lime) → soy sauce + lime
Salty and bright, not funky. A mashed anchovy is closer if fish is acceptable.
onion → shallot
Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have.
pork → mushroom
Chopped mushrooms plus a splash of soy. Different dish, same comfort.
beef → tofu
Marinated tofu or mushrooms can take the savoury role. Label the plate as a vegetarian adaptation.
chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes
Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Inspired by the original
Provenance: Imported. Not developed or tested in our kitchen, so quantities and timings can be approximate. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Thai rice noodle salad take?
34 min all in — 10 min prep, 19 min cook, 5 min rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Soy, Fish, Sesame. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Is the published recipe vegetarian or vegan?
It is not labelled vegetarian or vegan. If a swap on this page says otherwise, that note is the limit of what we claim.
8 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Frying pan, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list salt as its own ingredient. Saltiness comes from Fish sauce — 2. Taste at the end rather than adding a number we did not write.
How much fish sauce?
2 of Fish sauce.
How much brown sugar?
1 tsp of Brown sugar.
What can I use instead?
lime → lemon. Works in most savoury cooking. Desserts may notice. fish-sauce (soy sauce + lime) → soy sauce + lime. Salty and bright, not funky. A mashed anchovy is closer if fish is acceptable. onion → shallot. Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have. pork → mushroom. Chopped mushrooms plus a splash of soy. Different dish, same comfort. beef → tofu. Marinated tofu or mushrooms can take the savoury role. Label the plate as a vegetarian adaptation. chilli (paprika or chilli flakes) → paprika or chilli flakes. Paprika is milder and sweeter. Add cayenne if you still want heat.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.


