Tasty Examples of Mi Quang: Quang Style Noodles Recipe You Can Cook at Home

Let’s start with taste, not theory. The best examples of Mi Quang: Quang style noodles recipe all share a few traits: golden noodles from turmeric, a shallow savory broth, lots of herbs, and a mix of proteins. From there, cooks get creative. Some examples include classic pork and shrimp, while others highlight chicken, fish, or even tofu.

In Central Vietnam, especially around Da Nang and Quang Nam, you’ll find street stalls that each have their own signature bowl. One shop might be known for Mi Quang ga (chicken), another for Mi Quang ca loc (snakehead fish), and yet another for a super rich pork and quail egg version. These real examples show how the dish shifts slightly from vendor to vendor, but the soul of Mi Quang stays the same: bright, aromatic, and texturally layered.

Below, we’ll walk through several detailed examples of Mi Quang recipes you can actually cook at home, then finish with a flexible master recipe and FAQ.

Classic Pork and Shrimp Mi Quang (The Reference Example)

When people talk about the best examples of Mi Quang, they’re often thinking of the pork-and-shrimp style. It’s a great reference example of how all the key elements come together.

You start by marinating thin slices of pork shoulder and shell-on shrimp with fish sauce, minced garlic, shallots, black pepper, and a pinch of turmeric. The turmeric gives both the meat and broth that signature golden color that makes Mi Quang instantly recognizable.

The broth is not a big, slurpy lake like pho. Instead, you simmer pork bones (or a mix of pork bones and chicken) with onion and ginger until you get a light but flavorful stock. Then you cook the marinated pork and shrimp in a pan, deglaze with the stock, and season with fish sauce, a touch of sugar, and sometimes a bit of annatto oil for extra color.

Cook wide rice noodles (often labeled as “Mi Quang” noodles if you’re lucky enough to find them, or use wide rice noodles similar to those for pad Thai) until just tender. Toss them with a bit of turmeric oil and fish sauce so they’re lightly seasoned even before the broth hits.

Assembly is where this example of Mi Quang becomes art:

• A handful of noodles in the bowl
• A small ladle of concentrated broth (just enough to coat the noodles and pool at the bottom)
• Pork slices and shrimp on top
• Fresh herbs like Vietnamese coriander, mint, basil, and shredded banana blossom or cabbage
• Crushed roasted peanuts, toasted sesame rice crackers, and a squeeze of lime

This classic bowl is a perfect starting point. Once you nail this example, the other variations feel much easier.

Chicken Mi Quang (Mi Quang Ga) – Comforting and Accessible

If you’re cooking for people who are a bit wary of seafood or pork, chicken Mi Quang is a very approachable example of Mi Quang: Quang style noodles recipe.

Use bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor. Marinate them with fish sauce, garlic, shallots, turmeric, and black pepper. Brown the chicken pieces, then simmer them in a light chicken stock until tender. The broth should be rich enough to be satisfying, but still concentrated and shallow in the bowl.

The toppings in this version often include:

• Shredded chicken pulled from the bone
• Soft-boiled or braised quail eggs
• Roasted peanuts
• Rice crackers and fresh herbs

Because chicken is so familiar, this recipe is one of the best examples to serve to friends who are new to Vietnamese cuisine. It keeps the spirit of Mi Quang but feels like a cousin of chicken noodle soup with more color and personality.

For safe handling of poultry and broth, it’s worth checking general food safety guidelines from the USDA at https://www.fsis.usda.gov.

Seafood Mi Quang – A Coastal, Modern Example

In coastal cities like Da Nang, seafood Mi Quang has become a popular modern example of the dish. These examples include shrimp, squid, and sometimes clams or fish.

You can build a seafood-focused broth by simmering shrimp shells and fish bones with ginger and onion, then straining to get a clear, aromatic stock. The proteins are quickly sautéed with turmeric, garlic, and shallots, then finished in the broth so they stay tender.

This example of Mi Quang is especially pretty in the bowl: pink shrimp, rings of squid, and green herbs over golden noodles. It’s a great way to showcase very fresh seafood, and it feels lighter than the pork-based versions while still being deeply satisfying.

Vegetarian and Vegan Mi Quang – Plant-Forward 2024–2025 Trend

Over the last few years, especially by 2024–2025, vegetarian and vegan versions have become some of the most shared examples of Mi Quang recipes on social media and food blogs. These real examples show how flexible the dish can be without losing its identity.

Instead of pork bones, you can create a layered vegetable broth using:

• Charred onion and ginger
• Dried shiitake mushrooms
• Daikon radish and carrots
• A small piece of kombu (dried kelp) for umami, removed before serving

For protein, examples include fried tofu triangles, marinated tempeh, or braised mushrooms. Turmeric oil still gives the noodles their sunny color, and you season the broth with soy sauce, mushroom sauce, and a bit of sugar instead of fish sauce.

Toppings stay very similar: herbs, roasted peanuts, rice crackers (check labels for vegan options), and lime. Many 2024 plant-based food trends highlight dishes like this—traditional at the core, but adapted thoughtfully. For general information on plant-based eating and health, the NIH offers useful overviews at https://www.nccih.nih.gov.

This vegetarian bowl is one of the best examples of how Mi Quang can travel globally and fit into different dietary choices while staying deeply Vietnamese in spirit.

Mi Quang with Snakehead Fish (Mi Quang Ca Loc) – Rustic Central Vietnam Example

If you ever travel through Quang Nam province, you’ll run into Mi Quang ca loc, a rustic example of Mi Quang that uses firm white fish, traditionally snakehead fish. Outside Vietnam, cooks often substitute catfish, tilapia, or another firm white fish.

The fish is marinated with turmeric, garlic, and fish sauce, then gently pan-seared until just cooked. The broth is usually a light pork or chicken stock enriched with the pan drippings from the fish, giving it a subtle, sweet richness.

This example of Mi Quang is especially beloved by locals because it tastes like countryside cooking—simple ingredients, bright herbs, and a clean-tasting broth that lets the fish shine. If you’re trying to reduce red meat but still want a traditional flavor profile, this is a strong candidate.

Everyday Home-Style Mi Quang – Flexible Fridge-Cleanout Example

Not every bowl has to be picture-perfect. Some of the most real examples of Mi Quang are the ones Vietnamese families throw together on a busy weeknight. Leftover braised pork? A handful of shrimp from the freezer? Half a chicken from last night? It all goes into the pot.

Home cooks often:

• Use store-bought chicken or pork broth as a shortcut, then boost it with fish sauce, garlic, and turmeric
• Mix proteins—pork, shrimp, and a couple of quail eggs in the same bowl
• Swap in whatever greens they have: lettuce, cabbage, even kale if they’re overseas

This kind of flexible, home-style bowl is an example of Mi Quang that fits right into American kitchens: it respects the core technique but doesn’t stress about perfect authenticity. It’s also a great way to reduce food waste and stretch proteins, something nutrition and budget-conscious families increasingly care about. For general guidance on healthy eating patterns, the U.S. government’s MyPlate site is a helpful resource: https://www.myplate.gov.

A Step-by-Step Example of Mi Quang: Quang Style Noodles Recipe (Master Template)

Now that you’ve seen several real-world examples, here’s a flexible, step-by-step template you can adapt. Think of this as a base example of Mi Quang you can customize with pork, chicken, seafood, or tofu.

Step 1: Prep the Broth Base

Start with about 6 cups of water and 1–1.5 pounds of bones (pork neck bones, chicken backs, or a mix). Rinse the bones, then briefly boil and discard the water to remove impurities. Refill the pot with fresh water, add a halved onion, a piece of ginger, and simmer gently for 60–90 minutes, skimming as needed.

You’re aiming for a light but flavorful broth, not something heavy like tonkotsu. Strain and keep warm.

Step 2: Marinate and Sauté the Protein

Choose your main protein based on the examples above: sliced pork shoulder, chicken thighs, shrimp, fish, tofu, or a combination.

Marinate for at least 20 minutes with:

• Fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
• Minced garlic and shallots
• Ground black pepper
• Ground turmeric (about 1–2 teaspoons for a bright yellow color)

Heat a neutral oil in a pan, add a spoonful of minced shallots and garlic, then the marinated protein. Sauté until fragrant and lightly browned.

Step 3: Build the Mi Quang Broth

Pour some of your prepared stock into the pan with the protein to deglaze, scraping up the browned bits. Transfer everything back into the main pot. Season with more fish sauce, a bit of sugar, and salt to taste. The flavor should be bold and slightly salty, because you’ll only use a small amount in each bowl.

If you like, make a quick annatto or turmeric oil by gently heating oil with annatto seeds or extra turmeric, then drizzling it into the broth for a deeper golden hue.

Step 4: Cook and Season the Noodles

Use wide rice noodles labeled for Mi Quang or similar flat rice noodles. Cook according to package directions, then rinse briefly in cool water to stop the cooking.

Toss the noodles with a little fish sauce and turmeric oil so they’re lightly seasoned and tinted yellow. This step is one of the details that separates a good example of Mi Quang from a flat-tasting one.

Step 5: Prep the Herb and Crunch Toppings

Wash and dry a mix of herbs and greens. Common choices include:

• Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) or cilantro
• Thai basil or regular basil
• Mint
• Shredded cabbage, lettuce, or banana blossom

Crush roasted peanuts and break rice crackers into large shards. Cut limes into wedges and slice chili peppers if you like heat.

Step 6: Assemble Like a Quang-Style Pro

To assemble, think layers, not just dumping everything in:

• Put a generous handful of noodles in each bowl
• Ladle on a small amount of the concentrated broth with plenty of protein
• Top with herbs, greens, and peanuts
• Tuck rice cracker pieces along the side so they stay crunchy
• Serve with lime wedges and chili on the side

When you eat, you mix everything together, squeeze in lime, and break the rice crackers into the bowl. The result is a mix of chewy, crunchy, fresh, and savory—exactly what all the best examples of Mi Quang aim for.

Tips from Recent Mi Quang Trends (2024–2025)

Food trends in 2024–2025 show a big push toward:

• Air-fryer toppings: Some home cooks now air-fry pork belly or tofu cubes for extra crisp texture before adding them to Mi Quang. It’s a fun twist that still respects the dish.
• Macro-friendly bowls: Fitness-focused cooks are building Mi Quang bowls with lean chicken breast, extra herbs, and lighter broth while keeping the rice crackers and peanuts in moderation. For general nutrition info, sites like https://www.nutrition.gov can help you balance the dish with your overall diet.
• Gluten-free awareness: Mi Quang is naturally gluten-free if your fish sauce and soy substitutes are gluten-free, which makes it a good example of Vietnamese food for people who avoid wheat.

These modern examples of Mi Quang show how the dish keeps evolving while staying rooted in Quang Nam tradition.

FAQ About Mi Quang and Recipe Examples

What are some everyday examples of Mi Quang toppings?

Common everyday examples include roasted peanuts, toasted sesame rice crackers, quail eggs, shrimp, sliced pork, and a mix of herbs like mint, basil, and Vietnamese coriander. Some families also add sliced pork sausage or leftover roasted meats.

Can you give an example of a quick weeknight Mi Quang shortcut?

One practical example of a shortcut version is using low-sodium chicken broth from a carton, adding fish sauce, garlic, and turmeric, then topping store-bought cooked rotisserie chicken over turmeric-tossed noodles. It’s not restaurant-level, but it hits the right flavor notes on a busy night.

Are there healthy examples of Mi Quang for people watching their diet?

Yes. Healthy examples include bowls built around lean proteins like chicken breast, tofu, or fish, extra vegetables and herbs, and a lighter hand with peanuts and rice crackers. Because the broth is shallow, it’s often lower in sodium and fat than some other noodle soups, especially if you skim excess fat from the stock.

Do all examples of Mi Quang have turmeric-yellow noodles?

Most classic examples do, because the yellow color is part of the dish’s identity. However, some home cooks abroad skip turmeric if they don’t have it on hand, or they use regular white rice noodles. The flavor is still good, but you lose some of the visual charm.

Is Mi Quang spicy in traditional examples?

Traditional examples of Mi Quang are usually mildly spicy at most. Heat is often added at the table with sliced chiles or chili sauce, so each person can adjust their own bowl.

When you look across all these examples of Mi Quang: Quang style noodles recipe variations—pork and shrimp, chicken, seafood, vegetarian, fish, and home-style—you start to see the pattern. The dish is less about strict rules and more about a structure: golden noodles, shallow intense broth, herbs, and crunch. Once you understand that structure, you can confidently create your own best example of Mi Quang at home and tweak it until it tastes like something you’d proudly serve to guests.