Secrets to Cooking Delicious Ninh Binh Pork Ball Noodle Soup at Home

When buying ribs, choose fresh ribs with a light pink color, good elasticity, and no foul smell. Fresh ribs usually have flat and small bones, as these ribs tend to have less bone and more meat. Avoid ribs with large and round bones, as they usually have more bone and less meat.

Additionally, do not choose ribs that are dark in color, have lost elasticity, have an unpleasant smell, or are slimy. These signs indicate that the ribs are not fresh and can affect the quality of your dish. Choosing fresh ribs will help your pork ball noodle soup be more attractive and ensure a rich flavor.

3. How to Select Good Pork Bones

To select good pork bones, pay attention to several important characteristics. First, fresh pork bones usually have a bright color, are not pale green, and do not have a strange smell. The bones should not be cold to the touch, indicating that they were recently taken out and are still fresh.

Good pork bones usually have a size of about 2-3 finger joints, just enough to provide nutrients and flavor for your dish. Choose bones of medium size to ensure the best quality.

Do not buy bones that are too small, as they might come from young pigs that were sick and slaughtered early. Bones from young pigs not only lack nutrients but can also be harmful to health. Therefore, selecting good quality pork bones is crucial for a flavorful and safe dish.

4. Cooking Pork Ball Noodle Soup

Prepare the Ingredients

• Pork Bones: Wash the pork bones, then chop them into small, bite-sized pieces. Next, boil a pot of water and blanch the bones to remove impurities and odors. After blanching, discard this water and prepare a new pot of water. Add the bones to the pot along with some salt, seasoning powder, and fish sauce. Simmer the bones over low heat to create a sweet and rich broth. During simmering, regularly skim off the foam to keep the broth clear.
• Baby Back Ribs (or Tender Ribs):
  Wash the ribs thoroughly, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. To remove odors, you can wash the ribs with diluted saltwater. Next, place the ribs in a large bowl, add 1/3 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon seasoning powder, and a bit of ground pepper. Mix well and marinate the ribs for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Wood Ear Mushrooms:
  Wash the wood ear mushrooms, soak them in hot water until they expand. Once expanded, thinly slice them for easier eating and cooking.
• Vietnamese Sausage: Slice the Vietnamese sausage into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
• Scallions and Cilantro: Remove the roots of the scallions and cilantro, wash them thoroughly, and chop them finely. These will add flavor and appeal to the dish.
• Shallots: Shallots will be used to enhance the broth's flavor or can be fried and sprinkled over the noodles.
• Fresh Herbs: Wash fresh herbs like perilla leaves, basil, lettuce thoroughly with water several times to remove dirt and bacteria.
• Fresh Noodles: Before eating, blanch the fresh noodles in boiling water to clean and soften them. Then, let the noodles drain before placing them in a bowl.

5. Making Pork Balls

To make pork balls, start by placing the ground pork paste in a large bowl. Add the finely sliced wood ear mushrooms, chopped scallions, and a bit of seasoning such as salt, seasoning powder, and pepper. Mix well to combine the ingredients and flavors evenly.

After mixing, use your hands or a spoon to form the mixture into small, round balls. The size of the pork balls can vary according to your preference, but typically they should be about 2-3 cm in diameter to ensure they cook evenly and remain juicy.

Once the pork balls are formed, prepare the broth made from the simmered pork bones and ribs. When the broth is boiling, gently drop the pork balls into the pot. Drop them one at a time to prevent sticking and to maintain their round shape.

Simmer the broth over medium heat, and once the pork balls rise to the surface, they are fully cooked and ready to eat. You can either scoop them out onto a separate plate or leave them in the broth to keep warm until serving.

Cooking pork balls requires meticulousness and skill, but the end result will be delicious, tender, and flavorful balls. When combined with sweet broth, marinated ribs, and fresh herbs, your pork ball noodle soup will be irresistible.

Cooking the Broth

• Heat the Pan and Sauté the Shallots:
  First, place a pan on the stove and add a sufficient amount of cooking oil. When the oil is hot, add the finely chopped shallots and sauté until golden and fragrant.
• Sauté the Ribs:
  When the shallots are fragrant, add the cleaned and chopped baby back ribs to the pan. Stir the ribs until they are seared and slightly golden. Then, turn off the stove.
• Prepare the Broth:
  When the broth simmered from the pork bones begins to boil, add the seared ribs to the pot. Continue simmering until the broth boils again, allowing the ribs to release their flavor into the broth.
• Add Pork Balls:
  When the broth boils again, add the prepared pork balls to the pot. Season the broth with salt, seasoning powder, and fish sauce to taste. Continue simmering for about 10 more minutes to allow the pork balls and ribs to cook thoroughly. When the pork balls float to the surface and the ribs are tender, you can turn off the stove.

Final Dish

• Place the Noodles in the Bowl:
  First, place an adequate amount of fresh noodles in a large bowl.
• Add Ribs, Vietnamese Sausage, and Pork Balls:
  Next, place the cooked ribs on top of the noodles. Add thin slices of Vietnamese sausage and the cooked pork balls on top.
• Add Scallions and Cilantro:
  Sprinkle some finely chopped scallions and cilantro on top to enhance the flavor and color of the dish.
• Pour the Broth:
  Finally, ladle the hot broth into the bowl, covering all the ingredients so that the noodles, ribs, Vietnamese sausage, and pork balls soak up the broth.
• Enjoy the Pork Ball Noodle Soup:
  When enjoying the pork ball noodle soup, serve it with fresh herbs like perilla leaves, basil, and lettuce. Add a few slices of fresh lime for a refreshing tang. If desired, you can also eat it with shrimp paste or fish sauce mixed with a bit of fresh chili to enhance the richness and appeal of the dish.

To cook a delicious bowl of pork ball noodle soup, you need to spend time and effort on preparing the broth. However, when finished, you will have a flavorful dish. With simple and easy-to-follow steps, you can prepare a wonderful bowl of noodles for the whole family.

Some Attractive Ninh Binh Dishes:

• Traditional Ninh Binh Peanut Candy Recipe
• How to Make Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls at Home
• How to Cook Ninh Binh Fish Hot Pot