As a delicacy of Vietnam’s central region, Mi Quang is a cherished dish that captures the country’s culinary legacy. It brings together an enticing mix of flavors and textures. Mi Quang recipes feature broad rice noodles in fragrant broth, accompanied by delicious toppings and a colorful assortment of herbs and veggies.
1. About Mi Quang noodles
In the 16th century, Hoi An was a thriving trading port, drawing various cultures, including Chinese. Chinese immigrants brought along their dishes, including wheat-based “noodles”. The locals of Hoi An adopted this concept, creating their own version with rice flour threads and named it “Mi Quang”, as this special kind of noodle is crafted within Quang Nam Province.
Since there are various Mi Quang recipes, the ingredients used to craft these dishes also exhibit diversity. Traditionally, Mi Quang includes various proteins like shrimp, pork, and chicken that make it rich and tasty. The broth is made from meat bones. Fresh herbs and veggies add color and crunch, while toasted rice crackers and peanuts add a nutty touch. You can adjust the taste with spices like chili peppers, lime, and fish sauce.
Mi Quang stands out with its flexible charm that works well in any season. What makes this dish special is its ability to be prepared in various ways. Whether it uses shrimp, pork, chicken, snakehead fish, or frog, a bowl of Mi Quang is always delicious. With its mix of ingredients, Mi Quang truly represents the heart and authenticity of Vietnamese food culture.
2. Best Mi Quang recipes to treat your taste buds
2.1. Quang noodles with shrimp and pork
Creating a distinctive Quang noodle dish with shrimp and pork calls for a mix of flavorful ingredients, as follows:
- Quang noodles
- Pork bones, shrimp, pork belly
- Peanut oil
- Peanuts, onions, white radish, purple onions, green onions, turmeric, Chinese coriander
- Fish sauce, salt, sugar, ground pepper, shallots
These instructions will help you know how to make Mi Quang with shrimp and pork at home:
- Blanch and rinse the pork bones, then simmer with water, onions, and white radish for 90 minutes to make a broth.
- Peel, crush, and roast the peanuts.
- Finely chop the purple onions, green onions, and Chinese coriander.
- Blanch and slice the pork belly, then marinate it for 30 minutes with salt, fish sauce, pepper, shallots, and sugar.
- Peel and wash the shrimp, then marinate it for 30 minutes with salt and shallots.
- Heat the peanut oil and stir-fry the shrimp and pork belly.
- Adjust the broth’s seasoning with salt, sugar, and fish sauce, bringing it to a boil.
- Boil the Quang noodles, then place them in a bowl with other toppings and the broth.
2.2. Quang noodles with chicken
Considered among the most straightforward Mi Quang recipes, Mi Quang with chicken is highly regarded. The ingredients necessary for crafting this dish include:
- Chicken, pork belly, quail eggs
- Scallions, garlic, lemongrass, turmeric
- Seasonings (fish sauce, salt, sugar, peanut oil)
- Quang noodles
- Herbs
- Roasted peanuts
You can follow these instructions to make Quang noodles with chicken at home:
- Chop the onions finely, mince the garlic, and slice the chilies. Boil the quail eggs, soak them in cold water, and peel them.
- Clean the chicken, rub it with lemon and salt, then wash and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Wash the pork belly and cut it into small pieces.
- Marinate the chicken and pork belly with crushed turmeric, onions, minced garlic, fish sauce, and salt.
- Heat the peanut oil, add the onions, garlic, and marinated chicken. Stir-fry then simmer it over medium heat. Pour in water and add crushed lemongrass for aroma. Skim off any foam that forms.
- Arrange the chicken, pork belly, and quail eggs in a bowl and pour in the hot broth. Sprinkle it with green onions and roasted peanuts.
>>> Don’t forget to try Vietnamese egg noodles also!
2.3. Quang noodles with frog
To make Quang noodles with frog at home, you should prepare these ingredients in advance:
- Quang noodles
- Frog meat
- Pork bones
- 120g minced pork
- Turmeric, green chili, red chili, garlic, lemongrass, onions
- Spices (sugar, oil, fish sauce, oyster sauce, salt, pepper)
You can follow these instructions to make Quang noodles with frog at home:
- Crush the shallots, turmeric, garlic, chilies, and lemongrass.
- Clean and dry the frogs, then marinate them with the crushed mixture, fish sauce, sugar, oil, oyster sauce, salt, and pepper for half an hour.
- Boil and rinse the pork bones, then simmer them with water, skimming off the foam. Add onions and lemongrass, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Put the onions and turmeric in oil, then add frog meat, bone broth, sugar, and fish sauce, and let it come to a boil.
- Combine the Quang noodles and the prepared toppings in a bowl, then pour the broth over them for a delightful dining experience.
2.4. Mi Quang recipe for vegetarians
The ingredients needed for making vegetarian Quang noodles are readily available in any local market. According to the vegetarian Mi Quang recipe, all you need are:
- Quang noodles
- Raw cilantro
- Mushrooms (dried straw mushrooms and fresh straw mushrooms)
- Tofu (fried in small pieces)
- Vegetables (onions, turmeric, pineapple, white cabbage, carrots)
You can follow these instructions to make vegan Quang noodles at home:
- Clean and chop the vegetables
- Boil the pineapple, cabbage, and carrots to make a broth.
- Heat the pot and add a little peanut oil and crushed turmeric. Then, add the mushrooms and tofu to stir-fry with vegan seasoning.
- Slowly pour water into the pot. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Put the Quang noodles in a bowl, then add the broth and roasted peanuts to the bowl.
- Prepare a plate of raw vegetables and enjoy your steaming noodle bowl.
2.5. Mi Quang with duck
To make this dish, the ingredients you need are:
- Duck
- Coconut milk
- Quang noodles
- Garlic, ginger, onions
- Sugar, fish sauce, cashew oil
You can follow these instructions to make Quang noodles with duck at home:
- Clean the duck and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate the duck with sugar, fish sauce, garlic, onions, and ginger for about 15 minutes.
- Heat a pan with cashew oil and fry the duck until it turns golden brown on both sides.
- Put the duck into a pot and add chicken bone broth and coconut milk. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes until the duck becomes tender.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste and turn off the heat.
- Boil the Quang noodles, place them in a bowl, and top with the duck.
2.6. Mi Quang Phu Chiem
The ingredients to cook Phu Chiem Quang noodles are:
- Quang noodles
- Shrimp, pork belly, crab
- Quail eggs
- Roasted peanuts
- Vegetables (bok choy, bean sprouts, banana flowers, coriander, green onions)
- Spices (sugar, salt, fish sauce, peanut oil, cashew oil, pepper)
You can follow these instructions to make Mi Quang Phu Chiem at home:
- Marinate the shrimp with salt, sugar, and cashew oil for 15 minutes. Marinate the pork belly with sugar, fish sauce, and pepper for 10 minutes.
- Peel off the crab shell and scrape the crab meat into a bowl.
- Boil the quail eggs for 10-12 minutes, then peel them.
- Stir-fry the shrimp with fish sauce until it turns golden brown on all sides.
- Boil the crab with 2.5 liters of water and cook for 20 minutes. Season with salt and add onions. Cook for an additional 5 – 10 minutes.
- Place the noodles in a bowl. Arrange the eggs, shrimp, pork belly, and broth. Top with chopped scallions and roasted peanuts.
Besides Mi Quang, travelers should also try other famous Vietnamese noodles such as bun dau mam tom, Vietnamese beef noodles, Ken noodles, bun bo Hue noodles, etc. Each Vietnamese noodle dish holds its unique charm, featuring a variety of flavors and textures.
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Mi Quang recipes encapsulate the heart and soul of Vietnamese cuisine. With their diverse ingredients, unique preparation methods, and rich flavors, these dishes offer a delightful journey through the culinary landscape of Vietnam. If you intend to visit Vietnam on your upcoming journey, don’t forget to savor these special dishes.