Woon Sen Salad

A traditional Woon Sen Salad features glass noodles, also known as cellophane noodles, made from mung bean starch. These light, translucent noodles are tossed with minced pork or shrimp, shallots, and fresh herbs like cilantro. The dressing balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors typical of Thai cuisine.

Yum Woon Sen is a Thai salad made with translucent mung bean glass noodles and does not use rice noodles like Pad Thai. Unlike the stir-fried Pad Thai, Yum Woon Sen is typically served warm and tossed in a vibrant, spicy, and sour dressing. It also emphasizes fresh herbs and a lighter flavor profile compared to the sweeter Pad Thai.

Woon Sen Salad is traditionally served warm, though it can also be enjoyed at room temperature. The glass noodles are usually quickly blanched or briefly stir-fried before being mixed with the other ingredients. The warmth helps the noodles absorb the tangy lime and fish sauce dressing.

The glass noodles used in Woon Sen Salad are naturally gluten-free because they are made from mung bean starch and water. However, diners with gluten sensitivities must be careful, as the dressing often contains soy sauce. To make the dish completely gluten-free, the soy sauce can easily be swapped for tamari.