Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to Crafting a Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Cao Lầu: Capturing the Authentic Flavors of Hoi An

Cao lầu is a renowned specialty of Hoi An Ancient Town, captivating diners with its harmonious and unique flavor. This dish has become a beloved staple in the vibrant culinary scene of this charming locale. Today, we unveil the secrets to crafting a vegetarian version of this iconic dish, offering a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Join us on this culinary journey as we explore the art of creating vegetarian cao lầu!

Administrator

25 July, 2024

Preparation
20 minutes Cooking
50 minutes Servings
3-4 people

Discover the detailed recipe to prepare vegan Cao Lau, a delicious and authentic Hoi An dish, right in your own kitchen. Impress yourself and your family with this elegant and meaningful vegan meal!

1Ingredients for Vegan Cao Lau

1kg Cao Lau noodles
100g vegan pork slices
30g snow fungus
250g king oyster mushrooms
1 young coconut
Side vegetables: lettuce, basil, perilla, and mint
Spices: salt, pepper, soy sauce, chili sauce, sesame oil, vegan oyster sauce, Mai Que Lo wine, and sate sauce

Ingredients for Vegan Cao Lau

2How to Make Vegan Cao Lau

Step 1 Prepare the Ingredients

First, soak the vegan pork slices in water until they soften. Then, rinse and squeeze out the excess water. Clean the king oyster mushrooms by cutting off the roots and washing them thoroughly. Wash the side vegetables and let them air dry. Separate the Cao Lau noodles if they are stuck together, and steam them for about 5 minutes.

Prepare the Ingredients

Step 2 Fry the Vegan Pork and Cao Lau Crisps

Heat oil in a pan and fry the vegan pork slices until they are golden brown on both sides. Then, fry the Cao Lau crisps until they are golden and crispy.

Fry the Vegan Pork and Cao Lau Crisps

Step 3 Make the Vegan Char Siu

In a bowl, combine the fried vegan pork slices, king oyster mushrooms, and spices: 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder, 1 tablespoon of vegan oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of chili sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper, 1/2 tablespoon of Mai Que Lo wine, and 1 tablespoon of sate sauce. Mix well.

Place the mixture in a pot, add the water from one young coconut, and season with 2 tablespoons of seasoning powder. Bring it to a boil for about 5 minutes. Finally, slice the king oyster mushrooms and vegan pork into thin pieces to create the vegan Char Siu.

Make the Vegan Char Siu

Step 4 Assemble the Dish

In a bowl, place the lettuce and side vegetables, followed by the steamed Cao Lau noodles. Top it off with the vegan Char Siu, including the sliced king oyster mushrooms and vegan pork. Finally, add a little bit of the broth and it’s ready to be enjoyed!

Assemble the Dish

3Serving Suggestion

When serving, you can enjoy the dish with the crispy Cao Lau crisps and a dip of chili soy sauce. Vegan Cao Lau has a delicate and light flavor that won’t leave you feeling heavy. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a nutritious and satisfying vegan meal.

Serving Suggestion

Now you know how to make this delicious vegan Cao Lau dish. We hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy it as much as we do!

Source: Youtube Mẹ Tâm Channel

Frequently asked questions

Cao Lau is a popular Vietnamese noodle dish that originates from the ancient town of Hoi An. What sets it apart are the thick, chewy noodles, made from a blend of rice and tapioca flour, and the addition of crispy pork belly, herbs, and a special broth.

To make a vegan version, you can substitute the pork belly with fried tofu or seitan. The broth can be made with a vegetable base, and you can add extra vegetables like mushrooms and carrots to enhance the flavor. This dish is all about the combination of textures and flavors.

The unique noodles are traditionally made in Hoi An, and they can be hard to find outside of Vietnam. You can look for them in Asian grocery stores, or online. Alternatively, you can make your own by blending rice and tapioca flour, or use a similar noodle like udon or chewy Korean ramen.

First, prepare the noodles according to the package instructions, or make your own. Then, fry your protein of choice (tofu or seitan) until crispy. Prepare your broth with a vegetable base, and add in the herbs and vegetables. Finally, assemble the dish by combining the noodles, broth, and toppings.

The key to an authentic-tasting broth is to use a good vegetable base, and add lots of fresh herbs and spices. You can also add a touch of sweetness with a little sugar, and don’t skimp on the garlic and shallots to get that true Vietnamese flavor.