The hearty flavor of duck meat combined with the sweet and nutty bamboo shoots makes for a delicious duck noodle soup.
Here’s an easy-to-follow recipe for duck noodle soup with bamboo shoots that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients:
Fresh duck: 1 whole (about 1.5 – 2 kg)
Dried bamboo shoots: 200g
Fresh rice vermicelli: 500g
Shallots, garlic, ginger: 1 bulb each
Scallions, saw-leaf herb: 1 small bunch each
Chili peppers, lime, vinegar, fish sauce, salt, and pepper: as needed
Fish sauce, seasoning powder, ground pepper, cooking oil
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Duck preparation:
Rinse the duck with water after purchasing. To eliminate any unpleasant odors, rub salt, vinegar, and ginger onto the duck’s skin, then rinse again with water. Chop the duck into bite-sized pieces after it has dried. Set aside any innards or blood (if available).
Soaking the bamboo shoots:
Soak the bamboo shoots in cold water for 6-8 hours; it’s best to soak them overnight to soften and reduce toughness.
After soaking, rinse the bamboo shoots thoroughly, then boil them for 10-15 minutes to eliminate any bitterness. Then, drain, let cool, and shred into thin strips.
Preparing the other ingredients:
Peel and mince the shallots and garlic. Crush and finely chop the ginger.
Pick over the scallions and saw-leaf herb, wash them, and chop them finely to sprinkle over the noodle bowls.
Step 2: Boiling and simmering the broth
Boiling the duck:
Place a large pot of water on the stove, adding the crushed ginger and a pinch of salt to cook the duck.
When the water boils, add the duck and cook until the meat is tender. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface to ensure a clear broth.
Once the duck is cooked, remove it from the broth, let it cool, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the cooking liquid for the noodle soup.
Simmering the broth:
Return the duck bones to the pot and continue simmering to enhance the flavor. Season with salt and seasoning powder to taste.
Note: Simmer on low heat and skim off any foam to maintain a clear and tasty broth.
Step 3: Stir-frying the bamboo shoots
Heat some cooking oil in a pan and sauté the minced shallots and garlic until fragrant.
Add the prepared bamboo shoots and season with fish sauce, seasoning powder, and ground pepper. Stir-fry until the bamboo shoots are tender and well-coated with the spices. Turn off the heat.
Step 4: Assembly and serving
Prepare the fresh rice vermicelli by blanching them in boiling water, then draining them.
Place the noodles in a bowl, topping them with duck meat, stir-fried bamboo shoots, scallions, and saw-leaf herb.
Ladle the hot broth into the bowl, adding a squeeze of lime, and sliced chili peppers if desired.
Your duck noodle soup with bamboo shoots is now ready to be enjoyed!
Storage tips:
Bamboo shoots: If you have any leftover bamboo shoots, store them in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
Duck: Cooked duck meat can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days but should not be kept for an extended period as it may lose its flavor.
This duck noodle soup with bamboo shoots is a delightful blend of sweet broth, rich duck meat, and crunchy-sweet bamboo shoots that your family will love. It’s easy to prepare at home, yet it rivals the taste of restaurant-style noodle soup.
Good luck, and enjoy your delicious duck noodle soup with bamboo shoots!