By Sho @ Hungry for Thai
on
Feb 27th 2025 
Prep time
10 minutes
Cook time
5 minutes
Serves
2
Ingredients
Steps
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Cooking Yum Woon Sen (Authentic Thai Glass Noodle Salad:
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Soak the glass noodles until they soften and cut the noodles if necessary, (follow the package instructions). Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the soaked glass noodles and cook for about 1 minute, or until they turn transparent. Drain and set them aside to cool.
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Cut the sausage into bite-sized pieces and boil them until fully cooked. Drain and set aside.
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Over medium heat, cook the ground pork with a small amount of water until fully cooked. Break it into small pieces as it cooks. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool.
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Thinly slice the red onion, cut the tomatoes into wedges, and chop the cilantro into small pieces.
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In a cup, combine red bird’s eye chilies, fish sauce, palm sugar, and lime juice. Use a hand blender to mix until the sugar is fully dissolved and the dressing is well combined. Taste and adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your liking.
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In a large bowl, combine the cooked glass noodles, cooked sausage, cook ground pork, and prepared vegetables. Pour in the dressing and chopped cilantro then toss everything together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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You can use roasted peanuts as is, or for extra aroma, stir-fry raw peanuts in a little oil before adding them to the salad.
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Nutritional info
% of daily valueCalorie Breakdown
Protein
202 cal
Fat
591 cal
Carbs
289 cal
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Table of Contents
The noodles are tossed in a zesty dressing that strikes a perfect balance of sour, salty, sweet, and spicy.
The dish is typically topped with your choice of protein—shrimp, minced pork, or tofu—along with crunchy vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro and mint.
It’s the kind of dish that tingles your taste buds with every bite, making it a satisfying, flavorful, and vibrant salad that’s perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
What You'll Need
- Glass Noodles – Transparent and delicate, Glass Noodles are made from mung bean starch and provide a chewy texture in the salad.
- Lime Juice – Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice adds a zesty, tart flavor to the dressing, giving it a refreshing citrusy tang.
- Fish Sauce – A Key Ingredient in Thai cuisine, Fish Sauce provides a salty and savory depth to the dish, balancing the sweetness and sourness.
- Palm Sugar – A Natural Sweetener derived from the sap of palm trees, Palm Sugar brings a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the dish.
- Red Bird’s Eye Chilies – These Small, Spicy Chilies pack a lot of heat, adding a sharp, fiery kick to the dish.
- Red Onion – Adding a subtle sharpness and sweetness to the dish.
- Cilantro – Fresh Cilantro leaves bring a burst of herby freshness with a slightly citrusy flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
- Chicken or Pork Sausage – A simple, mild-flavored option that blends nicely with the salad.
- Tomatoes – Juicy and slightly tangy, Tomatoes add a fresh, vibrant pop of flavor and color to the salad.
- Ground Pork – Ground Pork provides a savory and tender base to the salad, absorbing the dressing and adding richness.
- Roasted Peanuts – Crunchy and nutty, Roasted Peanuts provide a satisfying texture and a light, earthy flavor to the salad.
Why You’ll Love This Yum Woon Sen (Authentic Thai Glass Noodle Salad Recipe 🩷
- Bursting with Flavor – The perfect balance of sour, salty, sweet, and spicy from the zesty dressing will tingle your taste buds in every bite.
- Customizable – You can easily swap proteins like shrimp, minced pork, or tofu based on your preference.
- Gluten-Free – Made with glass noodles, this dish is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
- Fresh & Vibrant – Packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and crunchy roasted peanuts, this salad is as colorful as it is delicious.
- Light & Refreshing – Perfect for a light meal or appetizer, this salad is refreshing and won’t leave you feeling heavy.
- Quick & Easy – Ready in just a few simple steps, this dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy days.
- Street Food Favorite – Enjoy the authentic taste of Thailand’s street food culture right at home.
- Packed with Nutrients – Full of fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cilantro, and peanuts, it’s not only tasty but nutritious too.
How to cook Yum Woon Sen (Authentic Thai Glass Noodle Salad
- Soak the glass noodles (follow package instructions). Boil for 30 seconds until transparent, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Cut the sausage into bite-sized pieces and boil until cooked. Drain and set aside.
- Slice shallots, chop cilantro, and cut tomatoes into wedges.
- Mix lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, white sugar, and bird’s eye chilies. Blend until smooth and adjust seasoning.
- Cook minced pork in a skillet with a little water until fully cooked. Let it cool.
- Combine noodles, pork, sausage, and veggies in a bowl. Pour dressing over and toss to coat.
- Top with roasted or stir-fried peanuts.
Glass noodles are often considered a good choice for those trying to lose weight. While they aren’t exactly “healthy” (they’re still primarily carbs!), they can absorb more water than rice or wheat noodles. This means that in any given serving, you’re getting fewer carbs because a large portion of the noodles is just water!
If you really enjoy the texture of glass noodles, here are some recipes you can try: Bacon Baked Glass Noodles and Stir-Fried Glass Noodles.
Love my Easy Yum Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)? 🥗✨ It’s light, refreshing, and packed with bold Thai flavors—perfect for a quick lunch or side dish.
For a more satisfying meal, pair it with these Grilled Lamb Loin Chops. The juicy, herb-crusted lamb complements the tangy glass noodle salad beautifully, making it a perfect combination for a delicious and balanced dinner.
FAQs
While glass noodles are traditional for this dish, you can use rice noodles or vermicelli as a substitute if needed. Just keep in mind the texture may vary
Yes, you can swap the minced pork and sausage for chicken, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
Yam Woon Sen is best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, store the salad (without dressing and peanuts) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Add the dressing and peanuts just before serving.
You can definitely mix it up! Consider adding cucumber, carrots, or bell peppers for more color and crunch.
This dish is one of those that really wakes up your taste buds with every bite! It’s a flavorful, vibrant salad that’s perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
You can top it with any protein you like—what’s your go-to for this recipe?
Tips
- When boiling the soaked noodles, don’t cook them for too long—about 1-2 minutes are usually enough. Overcooking can make them mushy, so keep an eye on them.
- If you’re unsure about the spiciness of your chili, start with a small amount and adjust as you make the dressing.
- You can add more onions and tomatoes as you like for a fresher salad.
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