Authentic Thai Mee Nam Noodles

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 250g (9 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 250g (9 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili paste 1 teaspoon chili paste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 6g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the shrimp to the pan and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same pan, add the sliced onion, julienned red bell pepper, and carrot. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked rice noodles, bean sprouts, fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and chili paste to the pan. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
6. 6.
   Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and stir-fry for an additional minute.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
8. 8.
   Serve the Mee Nam noodles hot, with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice noodles — Make sure to follow the package instructions for cooking the rice noodles as they can vary in thickness. Overcooking can result in mushy noodles, while undercooking can make them too firm.
• Shrimp — To ensure tender and juicy shrimp, be careful not to overcook them. They should turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the shrimp with tofu or tempeh.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili paste according to your preference.
• Customize the vegetable selection based on seasonal availability and personal taste.
• To enhance the flavors, marinate the shrimp in a mixture of lime juice, fish sauce, and garlic for 15 minutes before cooking.
• For an extra burst of freshness, squeeze lime juice over the noodles just before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Mee Nam noodles hot as a main course. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for an added burst of flavor. This dish pairs well with a side of Thai chili sauce for those who prefer an extra kick of heat.

Presentation advice

Present the Mee Nam noodles in a vibrant and colorful manner by arranging the noodles on a large serving platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges on the side. The contrasting colors of the vegetables and shrimp will make the dish visually appealing.