Nyob Zoo All!
Here is another what I like to call it a Zaub quas laug dish: food for the good old souls (like me): A very simple MUSHROOM SOUP. In Hmong Leeg, we like to call this dish Nceb Hau. Nceb refers to as mushroom and Hau means to boil. It’s a very light soup yet it hits the comfort spot on a cold day. This mushroom soup has a variety of different mushrooms boiled with chili peppers, cilantro, and lemongrass. Enjoy it with fresh steamed rice and that’s it! What else can I say, it’s that simple. One of my moms favorite soup to make. Give it a try and let me know what else you like to add to this 🙂 Happy Cooking!
Main Ingredients
Mushroom: I like to use a combination of different types for texture and flavor. So you can use just 1 type but using a variety is a lot more tasty. 
Aromatics: I like to add lemongrass (leaf bundle), chili peppers, and cilantro for extra aroma.
This soup is super simple. All you do is boil the mushrooms in water, add salt and the aromatics. I don’t add that much water since once the mushroom cooks down, it releases quite a bit of moisture. The moisture from the mushroom will give you more broth. 
Keep this soup simple. It doesn’t need a lot of seasonings since mushrooms has so much umami already. I grew up eating this soup very clean tasting so I’m use to it being very simple like this. Enjoy it with some fresh steamed rice while it’s fresh and hot.
I like to add the rice into the bowl, mix it, and enjoy as is.
Happy Cooking & Enjoy!
-Cindy Her (C.HerCreations)
Simple Mushroom Soup (Nceb Hau)
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 lb oyster mushrooms
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms
- 3.5 oz Maitake mushrooms
- 5.4 oz Hon Shimeji (white or brown) mushrooms
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 lemongrass leaf bundle (or 1 whole lemongrass stalk lightly pounded)
- 1-2 whole bird's eye chili pepper sliced in half) [you can use more or less depends on your spice level]
- 1/4 cup cilantro (roughly chopped [stem and all])
Instructions
- In a pot add in 4 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Wash and clean all mushrooms and cut into desire size. Once the water has come to a boil, add in the mushrooms & salt. Let it boil for 5 minutes until all the mushrooms have release most of its moisture. Then add in the lemongrass and chili peppers. Simmer for 2-3 more minutes to release the lemongrass aroma. Turn the heat off and add in the chopped cilantro. Stir well and taste to adjust seasonings. Serve hot with rice! Enjoy!
