The Best Rice Noodle Soup with Shrimp Recipe for Cozy Nights

Silky rice noodle soup revolutionizes ordinary ingredients into a culinary adventure that tingles taste buds.

Seafood lovers appreciate this delicate dish bursting with oceanic flavors and comforting warmth.

Light yet satisfying, this recipe balances textures and seasonings with remarkable precision.

Fresh shrimp float like delicate pearls amid translucent noodles, creating visual and gustatory excitement.

Aromatic herbs and subtle spices elevate the soup beyond simple comfort food into a sophisticated meal.

Fragrant broth carries complex layers of umami that dance across your palate with each spoonful.

Preparing this soup connects you to generations of traditional cooking techniques passed through family kitchens.

Why Rice Noodle Soup with Shrimp Feels Like a Warm Hug

• Savor Quick Comfort: This soup delivers a speedy, soul-warming meal ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and time is short.
• Enjoy Vibrant Nutrition: Packed with succulent shrimp, crisp vegetables, and tender rice noodles, the dish offers a balanced, colorful plate that nourishes both body and palate.
• Experience Layered Flavors: The combination of sesame oil, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and fish sauce creates a complex, umami-rich broth that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Master Effortless Cooking: With straightforward techniques like sautéing and one-pot preparation, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels, making gourmet Asian-inspired cuisine accessible and stress-free.

Ingredients for a Flavorful Rice Noodle Shrimp Soup

• Vegetable Broth, Chicken Broth: Creates the flavorful liquid foundation of the soup, provides depth and richness.
• Water: Helps balance and adjust the soup's consistency.

• Soy Sauce, Tamari: Adds umami and saltiness, gluten-free options available.
• Fish Sauce: Provides authentic Southeast Asian flavor complexity.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces a light, tangy brightness to the soup.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes a nutty, aromatic essence.

• Baby Bok Choy: Fresh green vegetable with crisp texture, adds nutrition and color.
• Carrot: Provides natural sweetness and vibrant orange color.
• Garlic, Ginger: Essential aromatics that build foundational flavor profile.

• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein, small size perfect for quick cooking.
• Pad Thai Rice Noodles: Soft, gluten-free noodles that absorb soup's flavors.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds mild onion flavor and visual appeal.

How to Cook Rice Noodle Soup with Shrimp from Scratch

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Vegetables

Heat sesame oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped white bok choy sections and sliced carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent.

Step 2: Infuse Fragrant Seasonings

Introduce minced garlic and grated ginger to the sautéed vegetables. Continue cooking for another minute, allowing the kitchen to fill with wonderful aromas.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Liquid Base

Pour vegetable broth and water into the pot. Add soy sauce and fish sauce, stirring to combine. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil.

Step 4: Incorporate Delicate Noodles

Drop rice noodles into the boiling broth. Gently separate noodles with a cooking utensil and let them cook for 2 minutes until they start to soften.

Step 5: Add Protein and Greens

Toss in fresh shrimp, green bok choy sections, and sliced green onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and become opaque.

Step 6: Finish with Tangy Splash

Remove pot from heat and stir in rice vinegar, which adds a bright, zesty note to the soup.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, ensuring each serving has a beautiful mix of noodles, shrimp, and vegetables. Serve immediately while hot and flavorful.

Tips That Bring Out Bold Broth Flavor

• Slice Strategically: Cut vegetables into uniform, thin pieces to ensure even cooking and a balanced bite in every spoonful.
• Noodle Know-How: Rinse rice noodles briefly before cooking to prevent clumping and achieve a perfect, silky texture.
• Seafood Simmering: Add shrimp last and watch carefully to avoid overcooking, keeping them tender and succulent.
• Flavor Layering: Toast garlic and ginger briefly to release their aromatic oils, intensifying the soup's depth of flavor.
• Broth Boosting: Use high-quality, low-sodium broth as a base to control saltiness and enhance the overall taste profile.

Best Practices to Store and Reheat Shrimp Noodle Soup

• Refrigerate: Transfer soup to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Separate Noodles: Keep rice noodles separate from broth to prevent them from becoming mushy. Store noodles and broth in different containers.
• Reheat Gently: Warm soup slowly in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture. Avoid boiling to prevent overcooking shrimp and vegetables.

What to Serve with Rice Noodle Shrimp Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the delicate shrimp and bright, herbal notes of the soup. The wine's acidity will cut through the richness of the broth and enhance the seafood's subtle flavors.
• Match with Asian-Inspired Beverage: Serve alongside a cold Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi, which provides a clean, crisp contrast to the soup's complex flavor profile. The light maltiness balances the umami-rich soy and fish sauces perfectly.
• Enhance with Citrus Side Drink: Prepare a fresh lime-ginger spritzer that mirrors the soup's aromatic ingredients. This non-alcoholic option brings zesty brightness and helps cleanse the palate between spoonfuls of the noodle soup.
• Complement with Texture-Matching Appetizer: Serve spring rolls or light vegetable dumplings as a starter. These crispy, delicate small plates echo the soup's textural elements and provide a delightful prelude to the main dish.

Versions of Rice Noodle Soup with a Global Twist

• Spicy Seafood Fusion: Kick up the heat by adding sliced Thai chili peppers and a drizzle of sriracha sauce, transforming the soup into a fiery seafood experience.
• Coconut Curry Remix: Incorporate coconut milk and red curry paste for a creamy, aromatic version that brings Southeast Asian flavors to the forefront.
• Vegetarian Ocean Alternative: Replace shrimp with firm tofu cubes and add mushrooms for a protein-packed, plant-based adaptation that maintains the soup's rich umami profile.
• Protein Power Bowl: Enhance the soup by including additional proteins like sliced chicken or thin beef strips, creating a more substantial and filling meal option.

Rice Noodle Soup with Shrimp Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Vietnamese shrimp rice noodle soup brings delicate seafood flavors dancing through aromatic broth. Delightful rice noodles and succulent shrimp create a comforting meal that transports readers to Southeast Asian culinary landscapes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound small raw shrimp, peeled (51–60 per pound)

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 4 ounces (113 grams) pad Thai rice noodles (half a package)
• 4 baby bok choy, chopped (white and green parts separated)
• 1 large carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce or tamari (or substitute regular soy sauce)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

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Instructions

1. Warm sesame oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, creating a fragrant base for the soup.
2. Introduce chopped white sections of bok choy and carrots to the hot oil, sautéing for approximately 5 minutes until vegetables begin to tenderize and release their subtle aromas.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and freshly grated ginger, stirring continuously for an additional minute to enhance the depth of flavor and release their essential oils.
4. Pour chicken or vegetable broth and water into the pot, then integrate soy sauce and fish sauce, allowing the liquid to reach a vigorous boil.
5. Gently add rice noodles to the simmering broth, carefully separating the strands as they soften and absorb the liquid, cooking for roughly 2 minutes.
6. Introduce raw shrimp, remaining green sections of bok choy, and sliced green onions into the soup, cooking for 2-3 minutes until shrimp transform to a soft pink color and become translucent.
7. Remove the pot from heat and splash in rice vinegar, creating a bright, tangy finish to the aromatic soup.
8. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a balanced mixture of noodles, vegetables, and succulent shrimp.

Notes

• Prep ingredients ahead to streamline cooking and reduce stress in the kitchen.
• Customize soup by swapping shrimp with tofu or chicken for dietary preferences.
• Fresh ingredients elevate the soup’s flavor, transforming a simple meal into a restaurant-quality experience.

• Prep Time: 6 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg