Thai Glass Noodle Salad with Pomelo

Name: Thai Pomelo Salad with Glass Noodles
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 medium pomelo or ½ large pomelo, peeled and broken into segments; 2 cucumbers (seeds removed), cut into strips, not too thin; 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped; 2 tablespoons fried shallots (optional); 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro; 1 tablespoon chopped mint; 1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass; Fresh red chili, thinly sliced, to taste; 1¾ oz (50 g) glass noodles (bean thread noodles), soaked in hot water 5–7 minutes, drained, and rinsed in cold water; 3 tablespoons light soy sauce; 1½ tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1½ teaspoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon minced garlic

I lived in Thailand for four years, and this pomelo and glass noodle salad tastes exactly like the ones I ate there.

Juicy pomelo, crunchy cucumber, soft glass noodles, and lots of fresh herbs. All of it tossed in a sweet, tangy, salty dressing.

It’s light, colorful, and a little unexpected. It brightens up any table, from a weeknight dinner to a holiday spread.

My tip: peel the pomelo all the way down to the segments and break them into chunks by hand. The bitter white pith has to go.

Serve it right away, with extra nuts and chili on top.

This Thai pomelo and glass noodle salad is made with pomelo segments, cucumber, soaked glass noodles, cilantro, mint, lemongrass, chili, and roasted peanuts or cashews. The dressing is light soy sauce, fresh lime juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and garlic. Whisk the dressing, toss everything together, and serve right away. It takes about 15 minutes, with no cooking.

Thai Pomelo Salad with Glass Noodles

A fresh pomelo salad with glass noodles, herbs, and a sweet and tangy dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings: 4

Course: Salads

Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Salad

1 medium pomelo or ½ large pomelo, peeled and broken into segments
2 cucumbers (seeds removed), cut into strips, not too thin
2 tablespoons roasted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons fried shallots (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped mint
1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass
Fresh red chili, thinly sliced, to taste
1¾ oz (50 g) glass noodles (bean thread noodles), soaked in hot water 5–7 minutes, drained, and rinsed in cold water

Dressing

3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1½ tablespoons fresh lime juice
1½ teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Method

In a small bowl, stir all the dressing ingredients together until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Put the pomelo, cucumbers, noodles, and the rest of the salad ingredients in a bowl.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently so the flavors come together.
Serve right away, topped with a little more chopped cashews or peanuts and red chili to taste.

Notes

Tips

Remove all the white pith and membrane from the pomelo. It’s bitter.

Rinse the soaked noodles well in cold water so they don’t clump.

Toss gently. Pomelo segments break easily.

Substitutions

Pomelo → pink grapefruit is the closest substitute (a little more tart).

Peanuts → cashews.

Fried shallots → leave them out; they’re optional.

Frequently asked questions

What is a pomelo?

A pomelo is a large citrus fruit, similar to grapefruit but milder and sweeter, with a thick peel. Look for it at Asian markets and many supermarkets in winter.

What can I use instead of pomelo?

Pink grapefruit works well. It’s a little more sour, so taste the dressing and adjust.

What are glass noodles?

Glass noodles (bean thread or cellophane noodles) are thin noodles that turn clear when soaked. Here they just soak in hot water for 5–7 minutes.

Can I make it ahead?

It’s best served right away. You can mix the dressing and prep the ingredients ahead, then toss just before serving.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Regular soy sauce contains wheat. Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if you need it gluten-free.

Tagged citrus salad, glass noodles, no-cook, pomelo, Rosh Hashanah, Thai salad

Thai Pomelo Salad with Glass Noodles