Name: Spiced Salmon Noodle Soup
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; ½ medium head of Napa cabbage, coarsely chopped; 1 medium onion, halved; 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, cut into ½" pieces; 1 large carrot, peeled, coarsely chopped; 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped; 1 1" piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced; 3 garlic cloves, smashed; 1 salmon head, preferably wild, gills removed, rinsed, halved (optional); 2 lb. salmon scraps, such as backbone and/or fillet scraps, rinsed; 1 3"-long cinnamon stick; 3 whole star anise; 1 tsp. coriander seeds; 1 tsp. fennel seeds; 1 8-oz. bottle clam juice; Juice of 2 limes; ¼ cup hoisin sauce; ¼ cup soy sauce; 1 Tbsp. sriracha or chili-garlic sauce (optional); 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil; 8 oz. wide rice noodles or rice vermicelli; 4 3-oz. skin-on salmon fillets, preferably wild; ½ tsp. ground cinnamon; Kosher salt; 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; ½ medium onion, thinly sliced; 1 medium carrot, peeled, cut into matchsticks; 1 cup thinly sliced leafy greens (such as bok choy, Napa cabbage, or Swiss chard); Bean sprouts, Thai or sweet basil leaves, cilantro leaves with tender stems, and/or sliced jalapeño (for serving)

Spiced Salmon Noodle Soup in a dark blue plate on a a rusted colored background

Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Suzie Myers

Salmon-head soup is a staple of Native Alaskans’ diets, shared as food and immune-boosting medicine among friends and family. Making stock from fish heads and bones releases calcium and several key vitamins, not to mention deep flavor. This version, from Emma Teal Laukitis and Claire Neaton’s cookbook The Salmon Sisters: Harvest & Heritage, features both salmon head and fillets, with the aromatic broth taking cues from pho, packed with warming spices and fresh herbs. If your fishmonger doesn’t have a salmon head handy, the stock will still be excellent just made from salmon scraps.

What you’ll need

Large Pot
$55 $48 At Amazon
Fine Mesh Strainer With Arms
$17 At Amazon
Large Nonstick Skillet
$50 At Amazon
Fish Spatula
$14 At Amazon
Kunz Spoon
$30 At Amazon
Large Bowl
$18 At Amazon

Recipe notes