Gà Miến is a unique and popular Vietnamese soup made with chicken, broth, and glass noodles. This dish is comforting yet light at the same time. The key characteristics that make Gà Miến so delicious are the rich and flavorful broth, tender chicken, and chewy glass noodles. Unlike some Vietnamese soups like phở that can have very complex broths and many ingredients, Gà Miến is relatively simple to prepare at home. With just a few essential ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, anyone can make this satisfying soup. Here is a complete guide to making authentic Gà Miến at home.
Ingredients For Gà Miến
Chicken: For the best flavor, use whole chicken legs or thighs with the bone and skin on. The bones and skin will impart more taste to the broth as it simmers. You can also use just chicken breasts, but the broth won’t be as rich. If using breasts, save the bones and add them to the pot to boost the broth.
Broth: To achieve a deep, savory broth, char the onions and ginger before adding to the pot. This smoky flavor adds lots of complexity. Also, simmer the broth for at least an hour to extract the most flavor from the bones. Adding a tablespoon of fish sauce and a teaspoon of sugar also gives the broth more savory umami depth.
Glass Noodles: There are many types of glass noodles that can be used in Gà Miến:
- Mung bean noodles – These chewy, translucent noodles provide great texture.
- Cellophane noodles – Made from potato or mung bean starch, these are very thin and glass-like.
- Soba noodles – Buckwheat noodles that hold up well in soups.
- Rice vermicelli – Round rice noodles that soak up the broth.
Mung bean or cellophane noodles are the most traditional choices.
Vegetables: Common vegetables in Gà Miến include:
- Onions
- Carrots
- Bok choy
- Bean sprouts
- Cilantro
- Green onions
Onions and carrots add sweetness to the broth. Bok choy and bean sprouts provide crunch and freshness. Herbs like cilantro and green onions give a fresh garnish at the end.
Essential Spices and Herbs:
- Ginger – Fresh ginger is key for bringing out savory depth.
- Fish sauce – Adds saltiness and umami flavor. A bit of sugar balances out the fish sauce.
- Onion and garlic – Building blocks of flavor for the broth.
- Lemongrass – Provides citrusy aroma.
- Cilantro and green onion – Fresh herbs to garnish.
Instructions For Gà Miến
Follow these steps for fool-proof Gà Miến:
Prep the Chicken
- Wash and pat dry whole chicken legs or thighs. Keep the bone and skin on for added flavor.
- Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces through the bone. This allows more flavor to seep into the meat.
Make the Broth
- Char the onions, ginger, and garlic before adding to the broth. This caramelization boosts their flavor.
- Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 1-2 hours to extract the most flavor from the bones. Skim off any foam or fat from the surface.
- Season the broth with fish sauce, salt, and sugar.
Cook the Noodles
- Prepare glass noodles according to package instructions. They usually just need to be soaked in hot water for 5-10 minutes until pliable.
- Drain and rinse noodles with cold water to stop them from cooking further. This helps them stay chewy in the soup.
- Portion cooked noodles into bowls.
Assemble the Soup
- Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids.
- Portion the hot broth into bowls over the cooked noodles.
- Add the chicken, vegetables, and herbs.
- Garnish with extra herbs, lime wedges, and chilies.
Variations For Gà Miến
- Use chicken feet or necks for an even richer broth.
- Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, or tom yum paste for more flavor.
- Swap the glass noodles for rice noodles or ramen noodles.
- Garnish with crispy fried shallots, chopped peanuts, or chili oil.
Tips for the Best Gà Miến
- Simmer the broth slowly – A gentle simmer extracts more flavor.
- Cook noodles separately – This prevents overcooking the noodles.
- Char the aromatics – This adds depth and complexity to the broth.
- Season thoughtfully – Balance sweet, salty, and umami flavors.
- Use good quality chicken – Organic and free-range chicken has the best flavor.
- Garnish with herbs – Cilantro, green onion, etc. give freshness.
- Serve immediately – The noodles soak up broth quickly, so serve right after assembling.
Suggestions For Serving Gà Miến
Here are some suggestions for serving gà miến, a classic Vietnamese chicken and glass noodle soup dish:
- Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, mint or green onions. This adds nice fresh flavor and aroma.
- Offer a side of bean sprouts, lime wedges and chili sauce like sriracha so people can customize their bowl.
- Include a plate of fresh vegetables like lettuce, cabbage and carrots. Use the vegetables to make refreshing lettuce or cabbage wraps with the gà miến.
- For extra protein, serve with shredded or sliced cooked chicken breast on the side.
- For more texture, add thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms or cooked shrimp to the soup.
- For crunch, top with roasted peanuts, fried shallots or fried onions.
- Serve with a side of nuoc cham dipping sauce (fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and chilies).
- For a complete meal, offer steamed jasmine rice on the side.
- Garnish with fried wonton strips or fried Vietnamese spring rolls to add more flavor and crunch.
The key is keeping the components simple and fresh so the flavors of the gà miến really shine through. Adding herbs, vegetables, textures and dipping sauces lets people customize their bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken?
You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The broth won’t be as rich, so you’ll need to supplement flavor in other ways. Add more aromatics like ginger, lemongrass, and onions. Use chicken feet or necks. And simmer the broth longer to extract more collagen and flavor.
What are glass noodles made from?
Glass noodles are made from mung bean starch, potato starch, tapioca, or other starches. Mung bean noodles and cellophane noodles made from potato starch are most common. They derive their translucent, glass-like appearance from the starch they are produced from.
What are some other popular Vietnamese soups?
Some other favorite Vietnamese soup recipes include:
- Phở – Beef and rice noodle soup
- Bún bò Huế – Spicy beef lemongrass soup
- Cà ri gà – Coconut chicken curry soup
- Wonton soup – Chicken and pork wontons in broth
How does Gà Miến differ from phở?
While both are Vietnamese noodle soups, Gà Miến and phở have some key differences:
- Gà Miến uses glass noodles, while phở uses rice noodles
- Gà Miến broth has a clearer, lighter flavor compared to phở’s intense beef broth
- Gà Miến uses parts of a whole chicken, phở uses sliced beef
- Gà Miến has more vegetables like bok choy and carrots
- Gà Miến has a simpler spice blend of ginger, onions, fish sauce while phở uses many warm spices
Conclusion: Gà Miến
Gà Miến is the ultimate comforting Vietnamese soup featuring a rich chicken broth with chewy glass noodles, tender chicken, and fresh herbs. The complex broth plus varied textures and flavors come together in a mouthwatering dish. With the tips provided, anyone can make this tasty soup at home. Experiment with ingredients to customize it to your taste. Enjoy this slurp-worthy soup on a cold day or anytime you need a pick-me-up in a bowl! Gà Miến is simple, yet so satisfying.
How To Make Gà Miến (Vietnamese Chicken Soup with Glass Noodles)
Notes
- For a richer broth flavor, roast the shallot and ginger slices in a dry pan until slightly browned before adding them to the pot with water.
- You can adjust the amount of chicken, vegetables, and seasonings to your preference.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Ingredients
- • 4 bone-in chicken thighs (or a whole chicken, breasts preferred for easier shredding)
- • 10-12 cups water
- • 1 shallot
- • 5-6 slices ginger
- • 2 ½ tablespoons chicken bouillon (or homemade chicken stock)
- • 1 teaspoon sugar
- • ¾ teaspoon salt
- • Nước Mắm (Vietnamese fish sauce) to taste (start with 1 tablespoon)
- • 1 (about 8 oz) package dried glass noodles (bún miến)
- • 3 stalks green onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
- • Chopped handful of cilantro
- • Fried shallots (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Wash the chicken and pat it dry. Roughly chop the shallot and ginger. Chop the green onions, separating the white and green parts. Wash and roughly chop the cilantro. If using, prepare the fried shallots according to your preferred method.
- Make the Broth: In a large pot, combine the chicken, water, shallot, and ginger slices. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Simmer for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (juices run clear when pierced with a knife).
- Shred the Chicken: While the broth simmers, prepare a bowl of ice water. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and transfer it to the ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Let cool slightly (about 20 minutes), then shred the chicken meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Season the Broth: Strain the broth into a clean pot, discarding the solids (chicken, shallot, ginger). Season with chicken bouillon (or stock), sugar, salt, and fish sauce. Start with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and taste, adding more gradually until desired level of saltiness is achieved.
- Cook the Noodles: While the broth simmers again (5-10 minutes), soak the glass noodles in warm water according to package instructions (usually 10-15 minutes). Drain the noodles.
- Assemble and Serve: Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Top with shredded chicken, chopped green onions (both white and green parts), and cilantro. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and chicken. Enjoy with a sprinkle of fried shallots for added texture (optional).
Nutrition Facts
How To Make Gà Miến (Vietnamese Chicken Soup with Glass Noodles)
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 500 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 15 | 23.1% | |
| Saturated Fat 5 | 25% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 90mg | 30% | |
| Sodium 1200mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 50 | 16.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 3 | 12% | |
| Sugars 7 | ||
| Protein 40 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 0 | Iron 0 | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!