Cry Baby Noodles Recipe

 

Cry Baby Noodles

Cry Baby Noodles Recipe is a popular street food dish inspired by the Netflix movie Hunger. It is also known by its Thai name, Pad Ngor Ngae. This comforting noodle dish has gained widespread popularity and hype following the release of the movie.

The origins of Cry Baby Noodles can be traced back to a scene in Hunger where the protagonist, Aoy, cooks this dish for her family. She later also makes it for Chef Paul when he is hospitalized. The final climatic cook-off scene further glorifies this humble noodle recipe.

Cry Baby Noodles represent home cooking and stand in stark contrast to the avant garde dishes curated by Chef Paul in the movie. It is a simple yet flavorful recipe that brings back nostalgic memories.

While not an authentic Thai dish, Cry Baby Noodles contains many signature Thai ingredients like:

• Lap cheong (Chinese sausage)
• Dried shrimp
• Fish tofu
• XO sauce
• Miso paste
• Rice noodles

This unique blend of flavors has made the dish an internet sensation. Many food bloggers and chefs have attempted to recreate their own versions. It has also inspired special menu items and ready-made sauces.

Overall, Cry Baby Noodles is the ultimate comfort food that promises to tantalize your tastebuds and bring a little spice and magic into your kitchen!

Overview of Main Ingredients

The key to nailing the Cry Baby Noodles recipe lies in gathering the right ingredients. Here are some of the core components of this dish:

Protein:

• Lap cheong - Chinese sausage that lends a sweet and savory pork flavor
• Dried shrimp - Provides a unique briny taste and texture
• Eggs - For richness and binding

Sauces:

• XO sauce - Spicy seafood sauce that packs a flavor punch
• Miso paste - For depth of umami flavor
• Soy sauce - For saltiness
• Oyster sauce - Adds sweetness
• Fish sauce - Provides a distinctive Southeast Asian taste

Aromatics:

• Garlic - Fundamental for most Asian dishes
• Ginger - Brightens up the other flavors

Ingredient	Role
Rice noodles	The starchy base
Green onions	Fresh, crunchy garnish

Optional mix-ins:

• Fish tofu
• MSG

The exact quantities can be adjusted based on preference, but the core ingredients for Cry Baby Noodles create a complex interplay of sweet, salty, umami and spice flavors. Their clever combination is what gives this dish its distinct identity that has garnered such a cult following.

Preparation Steps

Proper preparation is key to pulling off a delicious plate of Cry Baby Noodles. Here are some tips for prepping the ingredients:

Protein

• Dice the lap cheong into small pieces to maximize flavor distribution
• Soak the dried shrimp to rehydrate before frying
• Dice the fish tofu into bite-sized chunks

Aromatics

• Mince the garlic and ginger finely to infuse the oil

Sauces

• Mix together the XO sauce and miso paste to make the flavor base

Noodles

• Cook the rice noodles al dente as they will be stir-fried later

Veggies

• Chop the green onions for garnish

Other Tips

• Crack the eggs separately into a bowl to avoid accidental breaking while cooking
• Have all ingredients organized and ready to go before firing up the wok!

The proper prep work helps streamline the cooking process. Here is a quick checklist:

• [ ] Dice proteins
• [ ] Soak dried shrimp
• [ ] Mince aromatics
• [ ] Mix sauce base
• [ ] Cook noodles
• [ ] Chop veggies
• [ ] Prepare eggs

With the prep work done, you'll be ready to jump into cooking these flavor-packed Cry Baby Noodles!

Cooking Process

Now comes the fun part - firing up the wok to put together these famous Cry Baby Noodles!

The cooking technique for this dish is all about "fry, add, stir":

Fry the aromatics and proteins:

• Heat oil in wok and fry lap cheong for 2 minutes
• Fry dried shrimp for 1 minute to infuse flavor
• Fry garlic and ginger briefly

Add the eggs and noodles:

• Add beaten eggs and scramble with other ingredients
• Once eggs are set, add cooked rice noodles
• Stir fry noodles for 2-3 minutes to get a nice char

Stir in the sauces:

• Add XO/miso mixture and stir well
• Mix in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce

Finish with toppings:

• Add lap cheong, dried shrimp, and fish tofu back to wok
• Stir fry for 1 minute to combine
• Garnish with green onions

The wok is key to getting that signature smoky flavor. Keep ingredients moving and try not to overcrowd the wok.

Follow this basic fry, add, stir technique for authentic Cry Baby Noodles bursting with complex flavors. Adjust cooking times as needed and add other seasonings to taste. Enjoy the aromas as this sizzling street food dish comes together in your kitchen!

Finishing Touches

Adding final embellishments is what takes these noodles from great to spectacular. Don't forget these finishing touches:

Add protein and veggies

• Mix in lap cheong, dried shrimp, and fish tofu at the end to avoid overcooking
• Green onions provide freshness, color, and crunch

Adjust seasonings

• Taste and tweak soy sauce, fish sauce, or msg to balance flavors
• A pinch more XO sauce can amp up spice and umami

Garnish

• Chopped green onions add burst of flavor and texture
• Sesame seeds bring nutty richness
• Fried shallots give lovely crispy bites
• Lime wedges brighten up the dish

Texture

• Add some steamed veggies like bok choy for contrast
• Bean sprouts or shredded carrots for crunch

Topping	Adds
Green onions	Freshness
Sesame seeds	Nuttiness
Fried shallots	Crispiness
Lime wedges	Bright acidity

These thoughtful finishing touches truly elevate the dish from great to spectacular. They provide bursts of flavor, texture, and color that make the Cry Baby Noodles an unforgettable eating experience.

Don't be afraid to get creative and make it your own! Part of the fun is customizing with your favorite garnishes. Take these noodles on an adventure through texture, taste and visual appeal.

Unique Flavors

The magic of Cry Baby Noodles lies in the complex medley of tastes and textures it delivers in each bite. Here are some of the unique flavors that make this dish so craveable:

Numbing spice from Sichuan peppercorns

• Provides a tingling, buzzy sensation that excites the palate

Savory umami from the soy sauce and XO sauce

• Satisfying, mouthwatering richness and depth

Sweet and salty from the oyster sauce and lap cheong

• Creates an irresistible salty-sweet balance

Aromatic essence of garlic, ginger and scallions

• Bright, fresh contrast to the rich sauces

Chewy and tender rice noodles

• Soak up all the intense flavors

Crisp-soft textures from the vegetables

• Varying textures keep each bite interesting

Together these flavors and textures form a beautiful symphony in your mouth. It's a party for your tastebuds!

The numbing heat wakes up your palate, then the umami flavors satiate your cravings. Notes of sweet and salty keep you reaching for more noodles to experience these unique flavors.

It's the combination of simple yet bold flavors, varied textures, and aromatic spices that make this street food dish truly extraordinary. The addictive flavors will have you crying for more!

Nutrition Facts

In addition to being packed with tempting flavors, Cry Baby Noodles also deliver nutritional value. Here's what you can expect in each serving:

Protein

• Around 20g from eggs, shrimp, lap cheong
• Keeps you feeling full and satisfied

Carbohydrates

• 75g from rice noodles
• Provides sustained energy

Fats

• 20g total fat with 5g saturated
• Adds richness and carries flavors

Sodium

• Around 800mg
• Boosts overall taste but high for some

Other nutrients

• Iron, calcium, vitamins A and C
• From ingredients like garlic, ginger, greens

Per serving:

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 75g
• Fat: 20g
• Sodium: 800mg

So along with tantalizing your tastebuds, Cry Baby Noodles also provides lasting energy from carbs and protein. The shrimp, eggs, and veggies add beneficial nutrients.

Just be mindful of sodium intake if limiting salt. Overall, these noodles make a nutritious and satisfying meal. The flavors and health benefits will have you crying happy tears!

Where to Find in Bangkok

If you find yourself craving Cry Baby Noodles in Bangkok, you have several options to get your fix:

Make at home

• Purchase a jar of Roza Food's ready-made Hunger Sauce
  • Available at Big C and online
• Follow recipe using sauce as flavor base

Order takeout/delivery

• Lerdtip Wanghin restaurant
  • Ranked #73 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants
  • Offering Cry Baby Noodles on menu and delivery

Dine at restaurants

Some spots in Bangkok serving up piping hot plates:

• Lerdtip Wanghin
• Sanguan Sri
• Tonkin Annam
• Steve Cafe & Cuisine

Food tours

• Join a street food tour to try authentic Cry Baby Noodles
• Check tour company menus in advance

Cooking classes

• Take a Thai cooking class and learn to make them yourself
• Recreate the dishes at home

Part of the fun is hunting down these famous noodles in the vibrant food scene of Bangkok. With so many options, you can enjoy this viral dish wherever your cravings take you!

The undeniable flavors of Cry Baby Noodles will have you crying tears of joy as you experience this dish in Thailand's culinary capital.

Substitute Ingredients

While the classic recipe uses signature Thai ingredients, you can adapt Cry Baby Noodles by subbing in more accessible ingredients:

Lap cheong

• Chorizo or pepperoni for flavor
• Any hard cured sausage works

Dried shrimp

• Small fresh shrimp or prawns
• Rehydrate dried mushrooms

Fish tofu

• Regular firm tofu
• Fish cakes or fish balls

XO sauce

• Oyster sauce, hoisin sauce
• Homemade with dried seafood

Miso paste

• Soy sauce or tamari
• Salt for savory umami

Rice noodles

• Pad thai noodles, cellophane noodles
• Udon, soba, or pasta noodles

Green onions

• Regular onions, shallots, chives
• Garlic, leeks, scallions

Don't be limited by ingredients - focus on the flavors and textures you want to highlight. With thoughtful substitutions, you can adapt this dish anywhere.

Part of the fun is experimenting with different ingredients while preserving the aromatic, umami-packed and slightly spicy profile. Put your own spin on this famous recipe!

The beauty of Cry Baby Noodles lies in its flexibility. With the right substitutions, you can conjure up those craveable flavors anywhere.

Enjoy the Dish!

Now that you're armed with everything you need to take on these famous Cry Baby Noodles, it's time to fire up the wok and dig in!

This street food icon promises an explosion of flavors in each bite. The umami richness mingles with aromatic spices and tingling heat to create a party for your tastebuds.

Each component - the lap cheong, dried shrimp, noodles, and sauces - builds layer upon layer of flavor. Don't forget those essential finishing touches to add texture, color, and brightness.

Some tips for your cooking adventure:

• Use fresh, quality ingredients
• Prepare components in advance
• Use a hot wok to char and sear
• Work fast to stir fry noodles
• Adjust sauces to personal taste
• Have fun customizing it!

Take your time to savor the hypnotizing flavors and textures in each bite. Share this dish with loved ones to create special memories together.

The Cry Baby Noodles journey teaches us to find comfort in simple foods, value memories tied to cooking, and connect with others over a tasty meal.

So fire up the wok, gather some friends and family, and get ready to cry happy tears with every mouthwatering bite!