Ingredients

200g thin rice noodles (vermicelli)

12 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 tbsp fish sauce

Juice of 1 lime

2 tsp palm sugar or soft brown sugar

1 large red chilli, ½ diced, ½ sliced

2 pink grapefruits, segmented

½ cucumber, peeled, deseeded and thinly sliced

2 carrots, cut into matchsticks

3 spring onions, thinly sliced

400g cooked large prawns

Large handful mint leaves, picked

Large handful coriander leaves, picked

Instructions

Step 1: Place the rice noodles in a bowl, breaking them up slightly. Cover with boiling water from the kettle and soak for 10 minutes until tender. Drain, rinse under cold running water, and leave to drain thoroughly.

Step 2: In the same bowl, lightly squash the cherry tomatoes using the end of a rolling pin or a similar tool. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and the diced half of the red chilli. Taste and adjust the balance of sweet, sour, and spicy as needed.

Step 3: Toss the prepared dressing through the drained noodles. Add the grapefruit segments, cucumber slices, carrot matchsticks, spring onions, cooked prawns, mint, and coriander. Season with salt and pepper, then mix everything gently but thoroughly.

Step 4: Divide the salad among six serving dishes and sprinkle the sliced chilli on top just before serving for a fresh burst of heat.

Tips & Variations

Perfect your dressing by tasting it before mixing with the noodles—add extra grapefruit juice for brightness, more fish sauce for saltiness, or a touch more sugar if you want it sweeter.

For a vegetarian version, substitute prawns with sliced tofu or additional crunchy vegetables.

If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chilli or omit it altogether.

Storage

Store the noodle salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but if needed, let it come to room temperature before serving and toss gently to refresh the flavors. Avoid reheating as the fresh ingredients and noodles are best served cold or at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles?

Yes, thin rice noodles work best for this salad, but you can substitute with glass noodles or even thin wheat noodles if preferred. Just adjust soaking or cooking time accordingly.

How do I prepare the grapefruit segments?

To segment the grapefruit, cut off the top and bottom, then carefully slice away the skin and white pith. Hold the fruit over a bowl and cut between the membranes to release the individual segments without any bitter pith.