Ingredients

  • 3 salmon heads, cut in half
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional
  • 3 inches ginger thumb of, peeled and sliced
  • 2 leeks tops discarded, chopped
  • 4 green onions chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 red peppers Thai, thinly sliced
  • Chinese cooking wine
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce optional
  • rice vinegar optional
  • aji mirin optional
  • 1 can vegetable Szechuan prepared, optional
  • 1 can bamboo shoots
  • 1/2 head napa cabbage shredded
  • 1 handful cilantro for garnish, stemmed, with stems reserved
  • 1 package asian noodles e.g., udon, soba, ramen

Method

  • Over medium-high heat, brown fish heads and ginger in oil for a few minutes, turning at least once. De-glaze pot with a splash of wine and add chopped leeks, garlic, and half the green onions and red peppers. Saute together for several minutes.
  • De-glaze pot again with another splash of wine, then add 8 cups of water and optional fish sauce. Bring to a light boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Strain contents, picking and reserving as much salmon meat as possible. Return soup to simmer. Adjust for salt. Add half the remaining green onion and the cilantro stems. (Optional seasoning: Add a tablespoon of each: Chinese wine, rice vinegar, aji-mirin; add a few heaping tablespoons of Szechuan prepared vegetables.) Simmer another 15-30 minutes.
  • Strain soup a second time and return to low heat to keep warm. Dole out reserved salmon meat into bowls, along with noodles, a handful of shredded cabbage, and spoonfuls of both Szechuan prepared vegetables (optional) and bamboo shoots. Ladle soup. Garnish with green onion, cilantro, and Thai red pepper.