Khao poun is the name of a type of rice vermicelli. The noodle soups based on these vermicelli are garnished with lots of vegetables and sprinkled with a broth.
Khao poun literally means "cloudy rice". The name probably comes from the traditional method of making vermicelli, which consisted of letting rice macerate in water and the water usually becoming cloudy.
Khao poun soups are served with an assortment of condiments such as sugar, lemon juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, schrimp paste, chili oil, garlic oil and fresh or dried chili peppers.
How to cook rice vermicelli?
Rice vermicelli is sold in Asian grocery stores in dried form. The noodles always have a tubular shape (like spaghetti) but can have different thicknesses. The cooking time may therefore vary from one type to another.
Cook vermicelli in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour into a colander, rinse with cold water and drain.
Wrap about 50g of pasta around your fingers to form small piles, press firmly and align on a dish.
“It is important to make the piles when the vermicelli is still wet otherwise the noodles will stick altogether.”
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