Coconut Seafood Soup with Soba

Here’s a nice soup based on a Washington Post recipe.

I made this with only shrimp instead half shrimp and half white fish. The noodles make it nice and filling, and the curry gives it a nice flavor boost. And it cooks really fast!

Note that you could use rice noodles instead of soba, and you will get better results if you break the noodles in half before cooking.

This made 2 large bowls of soup. Please double the recipe if you’re feeding four people.

What you’ll need

• 4-5 oz. cooked soba noodles (about 2.5 oz. dry)
• 1T neutral oil
• 3 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms (shiitake work well)
• 5 oz. (1 small) chopped yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 2.5 cups fish or seafood stock (may substitute chicken or vegetable stock)
• 2.25 cups full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream
• 2t Thai green curry paste (red, yellow, and massaman work well, too)
• 2T lime juice
• 2t maple syrup (may substitute brown or white sugar)
• 8 ounces peeled and deveined shrimp, cut into bite-size pieces if big
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

What to do

Cook the soba noodles, per their instructions. Drain when cooked and set aside 4 or 5 oz for the soup.

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring until they begin to soften—about 4 minutes. You may need to add a teaspoon of oil as the mushrooms cook. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring, until translucent—about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant—about 30 seconds.

Now add the stock, coconut milk and curry paste, then bring it all to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and taste. Add a bit of salt, if needed, followed by the lime juice and maple syrup. Keep everything at a simmer and add the shrimp, simmering it until it is just cooked through—about 8 minutes.

Add the cooked soba noodles and cook until heated through—about 2 minutes. Do a last taste test, adding salt and more lime juice, if needed.  

Serve hot in large bowls garnished with cilantro. A good, crunchy baguette with butter goes perfectly with this soup.

Enjoy!