How to Make: Chicken Curry Noodle Soup / Bún Cà Ri Gà - My favorite way to eat Vietnamese Curry!

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: pork

Tofu is a plant-based option, while pork is a more affordable protein.

Marinate 4 lbs of chicken drumsticks with 2 tablespoons of yellow madras curry powder and let sit in the fridge for at least half an hour.

Peel and cut 2 lbs each of carrots and potatoes into irregular pieces, making sure potatoes are cut larger than carrots.

Process lemongrass by removing the top and bottom, then bruise it with a knife.

Thinly slice half of a whole white onion and soak in cold water for garnish; mince the other half for the soup.

Wash Thai basil for garnish.

Fry the carrots and potatoes in vegetable oil for a couple of minutes until slightly browned, then remove from the pot.

Fry the marinated drumsticks in the same pot to activate the curry powder, then remove and discard the oil but leave the fond.

Add diced onions to the pot and sweat them down, deglazing with a touch of water.

Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

Return the fried vegetables and drumsticks to the pot, add 4-5 stalks of lemongrass, 6 quarts of water, and 3 bay leaves.

Season with 2 additional tablespoons of curry powder and 2 tablespoons of chicken bouillon, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about an hour.

After an hour, add 1 can of coconut milk and let simmer for another half hour.

Cook vermicelli noodles in boiling water with a pinch of salt and a splash of oil for 6 minutes, then cover and remove from heat for another 6 minutes.

Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water, then toss with oil to prevent sticking.

After a total of 1.5 hours of cooking, season the curry with 1 nub of rock sugar, 2 tablespoons of MSG, and 3 tablespoons of fish sauce, adjusting to taste.

Serve by adding vermicelli noodles to a bowl, topping with chicken drumsticks, carrots, and potatoes, ladling in the broth, and garnishing with white onions, Thai basil, and a whole Thai chili.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: