2 Authentic Tuna Noodle Soup Recipes, Just Like Restaurant Quality

Tuna noodle soup is a familiar dish for people living in the central coastal region, characterized by its clear broth, natural sweet flavor from the fish, and the distinct aroma of various spices. Depending on each region, tuna noodle soup brings its own interesting nuances. Among them, Nha Trang tuna noodle soup and Quy Nhon tuna noodle soup are the two most beloved variations. Let’s explore the detailed recipe for tuna noodle soup in this article by Ola Squid!

1. How to cook Nha Trang tuna noodle soup

Nha Trang tuna noodle soup stands out with its clear broth, subtle sweet taste, and gentle aroma, making it easy to enjoy. The dish is not overly complicated with spices, focusing instead on highlighting the natural fresh taste of the tuna, which is very suitable for a light breakfast or lunch.

1.1. Ingredients

To cook authentic Nha Trang tuna noodle soup, you need to prepare:

• 1 tuna (approx. 1.2kg)
• 2 onions, 1/2 cabbage
• 1kg rice vermicelli, 5 tomatoes
• 1 head of curly lettuce, 1/2 pineapple
• 2 cloves of garlic, 1 shallot
• Water from 2 coconuts
• 1 bunch of scallions, 400ml green tea
• A little Vietnamese coriander, basil, and aromatic herbs
• 3 teaspoons fish sauce, 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons seasoning powder, 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons MSG, 1 teaspoon pepper

See more: What delicious dishes to make with ocean tuna? 13 easy-to-make recipes at home

1.2. Instructions

• Step 1 – Preparation:

• • Clean the tuna and cut it into thick, bite-sized slices. Soak the fish in diluted green tea for about 3 minutes to remove any fishy smell, rinse with clean water, and drain.
  • Cut the tomatoes into wedges and slice the pineapple. Split the onion into two parts: one part sliced into wedges, the other thinly shaved. Mince the shallots and garlic.
  • Wash the scallions and garnish herbs, then chop them finely. Shred the cabbage and lettuce, soak in diluted saltwater, and drain.
• Step 2 – Pan-fry the tuna: Next, marinate the fish with fish sauce and pepper for about 10 minutes. Heat the cooking oil, fry the fish until golden on both sides until the meat firms up, then remove and let it cool.
• Step 3 – Make the broth: Sauté minced garlic and shallots with cooking oil until fragrant, then add the pineapple and sauté until slightly charred. Add the tomatoes and stir until soft. Pour in the fresh coconut water and water, season to taste, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the fried fish and sliced onions, cook for another 10 minutes, re-adjust seasoning, and turn off the heat.
• Step 4 – Serving: Finally, blanch the rice vermicelli in boiling water, place it in a bowl with the fish and garnish herbs, pour the hot broth over it, and sprinkle with scallions and shaved onions to serve.

See more: How to make Da Nang fish cake noodle soup that everyone loves

2. How to make delicious Quy Nhon tuna noodle soup

Quy Nhon tuna noodle soup has a richer, more characteristic flavor thanks to the combination of tuna and fish cake, along with a deep, sweet broth and an enticing aroma. Below is a detailed guide on how to cook Quy Nhon tuna noodle soup:

2.1. Prepare ingredients

The ingredients you need to prepare for Quy Nhon tuna noodle soup include:

• 500g tuna
• 1 knob of turmeric, 2 tomatoes
• 4 shallots, 1/4 pineapple
• 2 stalks of scallions, 4 stalks of lemongrass
• A little cilantro, 5 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 teaspoon annatto oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, 4 teaspoons seasoning powder
• 3 teaspoons salt, 5 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 teaspoons MSG, 2 teaspoons sugar

Similar delicious dish: How to cook Phu Yen-style squid noodle soup with clear broth and crispy squid

2.2. How to cook Quy Nhon tuna noodle soup

• Step 1 – Preparation: Cut tomatoes into wedges and slice the pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Chop the scallions and cilantro. Crush the lemongrass, shallots, and turmeric, then chop or slice thinly.
• Step 2 – Marinate the fish: Marinate the tuna with fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, MSG, pepper, turmeric, and chili. Massage gently so the spices soak in, and marinate for about 20 minutes.
• Step 3 – Pan-fry fish and sauté ingredients: Heat the oil and fry the fish over low heat, flipping both sides until golden. Sauté shallots, lemongrass, and turmeric with oil, then add tomatoes, pineapple, and annatto oil, stirring for about 5 minutes.
• Step 4 – Make the broth: Bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil, add the sautéed ingredients, bring to a boil again, and add the fish. Season with fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, sugar, and MSG, cook for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
• Step 5 – Finishing: Blanch the vermicelli, place it in a bowl, arrange the fish on top, pour over the hot broth, and sprinkle with a bit of scallion and cilantro.

Reference: Summary of 6 ways to cook rich, authentic fish noodle soup

3. How to choose fresh tuna

To ensure the tuna noodle soup is delicious and nutritious, choosing fresh, high-quality fish is essential. Below are some tips to identify fresh fish:

• Eyes: Choose fish with clear eyes and distinct pupils, avoiding fish with sunken or cloudy eyes.
• Gills: Fresh gills are bright red; stale fish usually have dark red or blackish-brown gills, which are signs of non-fresh tuna.
• Pre-cut fish: Prioritize fish slices that are firm, not black, or leaking fluids.
• Texture: Gently press your finger into the fish’s belly; fresh fish will be firm with good elasticity. Soft flesh is a sign the fish is no longer fresh.
• Smell: Fresh fish has a natural scent of the ocean; avoid fish with strange or unpleasant odors.

See more: What delicious dishes to make with tuna? Simple ways to prepare tuna at home

4. Nutritional value of tuna noodle soup

Tuna noodle soup is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. The tuna provides ample protein, omega-3, phosphorus, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, and zinc, which help support heart health, improve vision, aid brain development, and maintain nervous system functions.

The accompanying green vegetables, tomatoes, and pineapple supplement vitamin C, fiber, and minerals, enhancing immunity, providing antioxidants, and aiding digestion. This dish, combining various fresh ingredients, helps the body absorb energy effectively and provides essential vitamins and minerals, which is very good for the health of the entire family.

5. Tips for cooking tuna noodle soup

Here are some tips when cooking tuna noodle soup:

• Choose fresh ingredients: For herbs, tomatoes, and pineapple, you should choose fresh ones that are not bruised or wilted. Use ripe pineapples so the broth has a natural sweetness.
• Prepare fish thoroughly: You can use salt, ginger, lime, or white wine to rub and wash the fish, soaking it in diluted saltwater for about 15 minutes to remove any fishy odor.
• Fry the fish moderately: Briefly pan-fry the fish with spices like shallots, garlic, and turmeric to firm it up, but avoid flipping too often or frying for too long so the fish meat does not become dry.
• Cooking the broth: Remember to add the fish only when the water is boiling rapidly and skim the foam regularly to keep the broth clear and smell-free. You should combine tomatoes, pineapple, lemongrass, shallots, and ginger to neutralize the fishy smell.
• Reheating: If there are leftovers, you can store the cooked fish and broth in the refrigerator. When eating again, just reheat the broth and fish separately, blanch the fresh vermicelli before pouring the hot broth over it, and add fresh herbs to enjoy the full flavor.

Hopefully, with these shared insights on how to cook tuna noodle soup, you can manually prepare a delicious, sweet, and flavorful bowl of noodles for your whole family to enjoy. If you love seafood cuisine and want to discover more attractive cooking recipes and useful kitchen tips, don’t forget to visit Ola Squid’s Blog, which will help make your family’s daily meals even more diverse.