Course 04

Cold Somen with Lemongrass Pork

nam jim tsuyu · cucumber · shiso · dill
Keep the noodles cold, the pork warm, and pour the tsuyu tableside.
Scaled for 12 guests:

Cold somen

Ingredients
  • Dried somen840g
  • Neutral oil1 tsp
  • Crushed ice2kg
Method
  1. 1

    Boil somen in batches for 90 seconds only.

  2. 2

    Shock in ice water, drain very well, and oil lightly.

  3. 3

    Portion into 70g nests and refrigerate.

Lemongrass pork

Ingredients
  • Minced pork shoulder540g
  • Lemongrass paste3 stalks
  • Fresh galangal, grated1½ tsp
  • Fish sauce2½ tbsp
  • Palm sugar1 tsp
  • Soaked dried chilies2–3
  • Makrut lime leaf, chiffonade6 leaves
Method
  1. 1

    Cook lemongrass and galangal briefly in oil until fragrant.

  2. 2

    Add pork and break it apart; season with fish sauce and palm sugar.

  3. 3

    Fold in chilies and makrut off heat.

Nam jim tsuyu

Ingredients
  • Cold dashi900ml
  • Fish sauce90ml
  • Mirin, boiled off and cooled60ml
  • Lime juice60ml total
  • Palm sugar2 tsp
  • Bird’s eye chili, sliced3
  • Shallot rings2 small
  • Khao khua1½ tbsp
Method
  1. 1

    Build the base with dashi, fish sauce, mirin, half the lime juice, and dissolved palm sugar.

  2. 2

    Add chili, shallot, and khao khua on service day.

  3. 3

    Add the remaining lime just before pouring.

Garnish

Ingredients
  • Cucumber, julienned2 small
  • Shiso, torn24 leaves
  • Dill sprigs1 bunch
  • White sesame seeds2 tbsp
  • Crispy shallots4 shallots worth
  • Chili oil2 tsp
Method
  1. 1

    Build bowl with ice, noodles, cucumber, shiso, sesame, and chili oil.

  2. 2

    Top with warm pork, dill, and crispy shallots.

  3. 3

    Pour tsuyu tableside.