Thai Meatball Noodle Soup
Some days call for an easy, flavorful dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. This Thai-inspired noodle soup with cilantro-pork meatballs is one of those meals. Whenever I’m in a cooking rut or simply lacking inspiration, I make this soup. It’s that low-lift, high-reward dinner that’s bound to have everyone going back for more.
Ingredients
For the cilantro-pork meatballs:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (from 1/4 bunch)
- 3/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
For the noodle soup:
- 3 medium scallions, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
- 5 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce, plus more as needed
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce, plus more as needed
- 8 ounces dried thin Chinese wheat noodles, such as Kame
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (from 1/4 medium bunch)
- Have a rimmed baking sheet or large plate ready. Place 1 pound ground pork, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, 3/4 teaspoon ground white pepper, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon fish sauce in a medium bowl.
- Mix the pork mixture with your hands until thoroughly combined. Roll the mixture into 25 to 29 (1-inch) meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each) and place on the baking sheet or large plate.
- Make the noodle soup:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, place 3 thinly sliced medium scallions, 5 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons fish sauce in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Gently drop meatballs into the soup, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until the meatballs float and are cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Taste and season with more fish sauce and/or soy sauce as needed.
- Add 8 ounces dried wheat noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain noodles, then transfer them directly to serving bowls.
- Ladle the soup, along with a few meatballs, into each bowl. Garnish with 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro.

