Traditional Myanmar Delicacy: Noodle Salad (Khauk Swe Thoke)
People in cities may enjoy eating hamburgers, but those living in rural areas may not necessarily like them. Likewise, while villagers may be fond of Mont Pyitsalat (traditional Myanmar snack assortments), such foods may not be very popular among urban dwellers. However, among Myanmar foods, there is one dish that is exceptionally loved by people from all walks of life, whether in the countryside or in the city. That dish is Khauk Swe Thoke (Myanmar Noodle Salad).
Noodle salad is a favourite food not only among all social classes but also among people of all ages. Therefore, this week, we will present a recipe for making noodle salad along with the accompanying soup that is traditionally served alongside it.
Ingredients
1. Dried noodles – 50 grammes (fresh noodles may be used if available)
2. Roasted chickpea flour – as desired
3. Roasted chilli powder – as desired
4. Turmeric powder – ⅓ teaspoon (for seasoned oil)
5. Cooking oil – sufficient amount for seasoned oil
6. Seasoning powder (chicken powder) – a little
7. Ripe tamarind pulp – 2 tablespoons
8. Fish sauce – as required
9. Coriander (cilantro) – as required
10. Fresh green chillies – a few
11. Garlic – 13 cloves
• 5 cloves for seasoned oil
• 3 cloves for soup
• About 5 cloves to serve with the salad
12. Dried shrimp powder – 2 tablespoons
13. Black peppercorns – about 5
14. Cabbage – a small portion (for both soup and salad)
15. Tofu – as desired
Ingredients Needed for Serving the Salad
• Seasoned garlic oil
• Fried tofu
• Fish sauce
• Dried shrimp powder
• Roasted chickpea flour
• Roasted chilli powder
• Chicken powder
• Tamarind pulp
• Thinly sliced cabbage (washed)
• Finely chopped coriander (washed)
Preparing the Noodles
• Bring water to a rolling boil.
• Add the dried noodles and boil until cooked.
• Check the texture by taking out a strand and testing it with your fingers.
• Once the noodles reach your preferred firmness, drain them in a colander, rinse with clean water, and set aside to drain thoroughly.
(If using ready-made fresh noodles, the above steps are unnecessary.)
Making the Seasoned Garlic Oil
• Peel, wash, and thinly slice 5 cloves of garlic.
• Heat oil in a frying pan.
• Once the oil is hot, add the turmeric powder.
• Add the sliced garlic and fry.
• When the garlic turns golden yellow, remove it from the oil, drain, and allow it to cool.
• Let the oil cool as well.
• When cooled, mix the fried garlic back into the seasoned oil.
• Fry some tofu separately and set aside.
Preparing the Tamarind Dressing
• Pound four lumps of palm jaggery.
• Soak the tamarind in water, knead it well, discard the fibres and seeds, and strain the liquid.
• Add a little fish sauce.
• Crush 3 cloves of garlic into a paste and add it.
• Add some chopped coriander for extra aroma.
• Stir in about 5 tablespoons of chilli paste dressing. This will produce a pleasantly spicy and tangy sauce.
Making the Soup
• For about two bowls of soup, pound roughly 7 dried shrimps and add them to the water.
• Add ½ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon chicken powder, then bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, lightly crush 5 peppercorns and 2 cloves of garlic and add them to the pot.
• Add thinly sliced cabbage and continue boiling.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Instead of cabbage, you may use bottle gourd, bean sprouts, pennywort leaves (adaptogen), lotus stems, glass noodles, or other vegetables of your choice.
Preparing One Serving of Noodle Salad
• Arrange all ingredients needed for mixing.
• Place one serving of noodles in a mixing bowl.
• Add:
• 2 tablespoons seasoned garlic oil
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon roasted chickpea flour (Too much chickpea flour can make the salad less appetizing.)
• 1 teaspoon roasted chilli powder
• Slightly less than ½ teaspoon chicken powder
• Slightly more than ½ tablespoon tamarind dressing
• A small amount of fried tofu
• A little cabbage
• A little coriander
• Toss everything gently until well combined.
• Taste and adjust the sourness, saltiness, and spiciness as desired.
• Serve the noodle salad garnished with lettuce leaves, fresh green chillies, and garlic cloves.
• Enjoy the delicious sweet-sour-spicy noodle salad together with a bowl of hot soup. — MOON
