½ teaspoon black peppercorns (or ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons minced ginger root
½ tablespoon chili garlic paste
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 strips lemon peel (use a vegetable peeler)
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon cinnamon
8 cups bok choy (stems thinly sliced, leaves roughly chopped)
1 lb raw shrimp
Optional Garnishes:
Thinly sliced onion
Jalapeño slices
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Hoisin sauce
Sriracha
Bean sprouts
Thai basil
Instructions:
Prepare the Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Toast the Spices: In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the coriander seeds, cloves, and peppercorns for 3-5 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat, crush using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large soup pot, heat sesame oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add minced ginger and chili garlic paste, stirring for about 30 seconds to release flavors.
Build the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and add the lemon peel, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, hoisin sauce, cinnamon, and the toasted spice mixture. Bring to a boil.
Cook the Shrimp & Bok Choy: Add the shrimp and bok choy to the broth and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the shrimp turns pink and the bok choy wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional soy sauce as needed.
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice noodles into four serving bowls. Ladle the hot soup over the noodles.
Garnish & Serve: Serve with optional garnishes like onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, sriracha, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.