Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 4 cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground tumeric
  • 5 to 8 dried arbol chiles, stemmed
  • 2 lemongrass stalks
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 lb. boned, skinned chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon shrimp paste*
  • 3 large shallots , thinly sliced
  • 1 can (13.5 oz.) coconut milk
  • 1 quart reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 8 ounces mung beans, rinsed
  • 8 ounces wide rice noodles
  • 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, torn into smaller pieces
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, torn
  • lime wedges
  • Sambal oelek chili paste

Method

  • Grind coriander, peppercorns, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cloves, turmeric and chiles coarsely in a spice grinder; set aside.
  • Peel tough outer layers from lemongrass, then mash core with a meat mallet or small, heavy frying pan.