Taiwanese Rice Noodle Soup (米粉湯) - Dairy-Free

Ingredients

• 8 oz Thin Rice Noodles (米粉)
• 6 cups Vegetable Broth
• 4 pieces Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
• 4 oz Pork Belly
• 1 tablespoon Dried Shrimp
• 4 pieces Fried Tofu Puffs
• 2 stalks Green Onions
• 1/4 teaspoon White Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
• 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
• 2 tablespoons Dried Fried Shallots

Instructions

1. 1Place the 4 pieces Dried Shiitake Mushrooms in a medium heat-proof bowl and cover them with warm water (100-110°F / 38-43°C); let them soak for 30 minutes until softened. Reserve the soaking liquid. While the mushrooms soak, bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil (212°F / 100°C) over high heat, then add the 8 oz Thin Rice Noodles and cook for 3-5 minutes until they are tender but still firm to the bite; drain immediately and set aside.
2. 2Once the 4 pieces Dried Shiitake Mushrooms are soft, remove them from their soaking liquid (do not discard the liquid), carefully remove and discard the stems, and chop the caps into 1/2-inch pieces. Slice the 4 oz Pork Belly thinly, aiming for 1/8-inch thick pieces. Finely chop the 2 stalks Green Onions.
3. 3In a large heavy-bottomed pot, bring the 6 cups Vegetable Broth to a rolling boil (212°F / 100°C) over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the chopped 4 pieces Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, the thinly sliced 4 oz Pork Belly, 1 tablespoon Dried Shrimp, and 4 pieces Fried Tofu Puffs.
4. 4Carefully pour the reserved shiitake mushroom soaking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve directly into the pot with the broth and other ingredients. Simmer the soup gently over low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the pork belly is cooked through and tender, and the broth is fragrant.
5. 5Stir in the 1/4 teaspoon White Pepper, 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil, and 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce. To serve, divide the cooked 8 oz Thin Rice Noodles evenly among four serving bowls, then ladle the hot soup and all its ingredients over the noodles. Garnish each bowl with the chopped 2 stalks Green Onions and 2 tablespoons Dried Fried Shallots before serving immediately.

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