Yen Ta Fo

Short Description

Yen Ta Fo is a vibrant Thai noodle soup recognized instantly by its pink-hued broth. The distinctive color and flavor come from fermented red bean curd, creating a soup that is sweet, tangy, savory, and slightly spicy. This dish is typically served with rice noodles and an assortment of toppings such as seafood, fish balls, fried tofu, crispy wontons, and fresh vegetables, making it both hearty and visually striking.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Yen Ta Fo combines a wide range of flavors—sweet, sour, salty, and spicy—into a single comforting bowl. The variety of textures, from soft noodles to crispy wonton skins and tender seafood, makes each bite exciting. It is also highly customizable, allowing you to adjust the spice level, choose your favorite proteins, or even make it vegetarian. The unique pink sauce adds a playful and authentic touch that sets this noodle soup apart from others.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Yen Ta Fo Sauce

• Red bean curd (with liquid)

• Pickled garlic or pickled garlic juice

• Fresh garlic

• Chili sauce or Sriracha

• Vinegar

• Sugar

• Fish sauce (optional)

Broth

• Water or pork/chicken stock

• Onion, daikon, or cilantro roots (for flavor)

• Salt

• Sugar

• Soy sauce

Noodles & Toppings

• Rice noodles (wide, thin, or vermicelli)

• Fish balls or seafood

• Fried tofu puffs

• Morning glory or Chinese broccoli

• Fried garlic and garlic oil

• Crispy wonton skins

• Cilantro and green onions

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Directions

1. Make the Pink Sauce
   Blend red bean curd, its liquid, pickled garlic, fresh garlic, chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce. Simmer gently until the garlic is cooked and the flavors meld together.

2. Prepare the Broth
   Simmer stock or water with aromatics such as onion, daikon, or cilantro roots. Season with salt, sugar, and soy sauce to create a flavorful base.

3. Fry Garlic and Wonton Skins
   Fry chopped garlic until golden and crispy, keeping the oil for extra flavor. Deep-fry wonton skins until light and crispy.

4. Cook Noodles and Toppings
   Blanch noodles in boiling water until cooked, then drain. Heat fish balls, seafood, or tofu in the broth. Quickly blanch vegetables until just tender.

5. Assemble
   Place noodles into bowls, then arrange vegetables, tofu, and proteins on top. Add a few spoonfuls of pink sauce, pour in hot broth, and garnish with fried garlic, garlic oil, herbs, and crispy wontons. Serve immediately.

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Servings and Timing

• Yield: 4–5 servings

• Prep time: 30 minutes

• Cook time: 20–30 minutes

• Total time: about 1 hour

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Variations

• Vegetarian or Vegan: Replace meat-based broth with vegetable stock, omit fish sauce, and load the bowl with tofu and vegetables.

• Spicy Version: Add extra chili sauce or fresh chilies for more heat.

• Milder Version: Reduce or omit chili sauce and rely on the pickled garlic for flavor.

• Different Noodles: Try egg noodles, glass noodles, or even instant ramen if rice noodles are unavailable.

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Storage / Reheating

• Store the broth, sauce, noodles, and toppings separately to keep the texture fresh.

• Refrigerate for up to 2 days.

• Reheat the broth and sauce gently on the stove. Warm noodles and toppings by blanching quickly in hot water before assembling the soup again.

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FAQs

What does Yen Ta Fo mean?

It is derived from a Chinese dish name and refers to a tofu-based noodle dish that evolved into this Thai pink noodle soup.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to a week.

What gives Yen Ta Fo its pink color?

The distinctive color comes from fermented red bean curd and its liquid.

What type of noodles should I use?

Wide rice noodles are most common, but thin rice noodles, vermicelli, or egg noodles also work well.

Is Yen Ta Fo spicy?

It can be mildly spicy, but the heat level depends on how much chili sauce you add.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes, simply use vegetable stock and tofu instead of seafood or fish balls.

What toppings are traditional?

Fish balls, fried tofu puffs, seafood, morning glory, fried garlic, and crispy wonton skins are classic choices.

How do I keep the noodles from getting soggy?

Store the noodles separately from the broth and assemble only when ready to serve.

Can I freeze the broth?

Yes, the broth and sauce freeze well, but noodles and fried toppings should be made fresh.

Is Yen Ta Fo served hot or cold?

It is traditionally served hot, with steaming broth poured over the ingredients.

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Conclusion

Yen Ta Fo is a colorful and flavorful Thai noodle soup that captures the essence of balance in Thai cuisine—sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Its pink broth makes it visually unique, while the customizable toppings make it versatile and fun to prepare. Whether you choose a traditional seafood version or a vegetarian adaptation, this dish offers comfort and excitement in every bowl.

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