Yam woon sen

Yam woon sen is a Thai glass noodle salad dressed with lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli, usually with minced pork and shrimp. It belongs to the family of Thai dishes called yam, which are salads built on a sharp, hot dressing.

What it really is

Yam woon sen is made from mung bean glass noodles (woon sen) soaked until soft and then cut short. They are mixed with a dressing of lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and chopped bird's eye chilli, then tossed with minced pork and shrimp that have been cooked briefly, along with sliced shallot, spring onion, coriander leaves, and often celery leaves and tomato. The noodles are cold or at room temperature when served.

The dish is distinguished from other Thai noodle dishes by being a salad rather than a soup or stir-fry: the noodles are dressed raw-cold, not heated in a broth or wok. It is also not the same as yam talay, which is a seafood salad without glass noodles, or pad woon sen, which is a stir-fry.

How it's served

• Served cold or at room temperature as a starter or a side to rice dishes.
• Eaten with a fork and spoon, often alongside grilled meats or other Thai dishes.
• Typically portioned on a plate with lettuce or cucumber on the side.
• Shared as one of several dishes at a Thai meal.

How to write it on the menu

• Name the main ingredients: glass noodles, minced pork, shrimp, lime and chilli dressing.
• Flag allergens that matter: fish sauce and shrimp contain FISH and CRUSTACEANS.
• State the heat level, as the classic version is hot.
• Specify whether the dish is made with pork, shrimp only, or a seafood mix.