Delicious Chinese Mee Hoon Goreng Recipe & Techniques

Mee hoon goreng is a popular dish in Asian cuisine, particularly in Chinese, Indonesian, Malay, Singaporean, and Bruneian cuisine. This dish is often found in street food stalls and is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Mee hoon goreng is a stir-fried dish that features rice vermicelli noodles as the main ingredient. The dish is typically cooked with a variety of vegetables, meat, and spices to create a flavourful and satisfying meal.

If you're looking to try your hand at making mee hoon goreng, it's essential to have the right ingredients on hand. Some of the essential ingredients for this dish include rice vermicelli noodles, garlic, onion, chilli powder, coriander powder, tomato paste, salt, and shrimp. You can also add other ingredients such as chicken, beef, tofu, or vegetables like carrots and beansprouts to add more flavour and texture to the dish.

To prepare mee hoon goreng, you'll need to soak the rice vermicelli noodles in water until they are soft. You'll then need to heat up some oil in a wok or large frying pan and stir-fry the garlic and onion until fragrant. Add in the chilli powder, coriander powder, tomato paste, salt, and shrimp, and cook until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Finally, add in the soaked rice vermicelli noodles and stir-fry until everything is well combined and heated through. Serve hot and enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• Mee hoon goreng is a popular Asian dish that is often found in street food stalls.
• Essential ingredients for this dish include rice vermicelli noodles, garlic, onion, chilli powder, coriander powder, tomato paste, salt, and shrimp.
• You can add other ingredients such as chicken, beef, tofu, or vegetables to add more flavour and texture to the dish.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese Mee Hoon Goreng, there are several essential ingredients that you will need to ensure that your dish is both tasty and authentic. In this section, we will discuss the key ingredients that you will need to make this dish.

Noodles and Proteins

The main ingredient in Mee Hoon Goreng is, of course, the noodles. For this dish, you will need vermicelli noodles, which are thin, rice-based noodles that are commonly used in Chinese cuisine. You can also add proteins such as chicken, eggs, tofu, shrimp, prawns, or seafood to your Mee Hoon Goreng to make it more filling and flavorful.

Vegetables and Garnishes

Vegetables are another essential ingredient in Mee Hoon Goreng. You can use a variety of vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, carrot, bok choy, and chives to add some crunch and texture to your dish. You can also add garnishes such as tomato and sesame seeds to enhance the visual appeal of your dish.

Sauces and Seasonings

To give your Mee Hoon Goreng its distinctive flavor, you will need to use a combination of sauces and seasonings. Some of the most commonly used sauces and seasonings include oyster sauce, fish sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, kecap manis, sambal, ketchup, and chili powder. You can experiment with different combinations of sauces and seasonings to find the flavor that you like the most.

When it comes to seafood, prawns and squid are the most commonly used in Mee Hoon Goreng. However, you can also use other types of seafood such as crab meat or fish fillet to add some variety to your dish. Just make sure that you cook the seafood thoroughly before adding it to your Mee Hoon Goreng.

The key to making a delicious Mee Hoon Goreng is to use fresh ingredients and to experiment with different combinations of sauces and seasonings until you find the flavor that you like the most.

Preparation Basics

Noodle Soaking

Before you start cooking Mee Hoon Goreng, you need to soak the rice vermicelli noodles in water. The noodles should be soaked for at least 30 minutes or until they are soft and pliable. Soaking the noodles ensures that they cook evenly and do not clump together. Make sure to drain the noodles well before using them in the recipe.

Ingredient Prep

To prepare the ingredients for Mee Hoon Goreng, you will need to chop the shallots, garlic and ginger finely. You can also slice the vegetables such as bok choy and onion into thin strips. If you are using seafood such as shrimp or squid, make sure to clean and devein them before adding them to the recipe. You can also marinate the seafood in a mixture of soy sauce, white pepper and vegetable oil for added flavour.

Stir-Fry Technique

Mee Hoon Goreng is a stir-fry dish, so it is important to use a wok or a large skillet to cook the dish. Heat the wok or skillet over high heat and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots, garlic and ginger and stir-fry for a few seconds until fragrant. Then, add the vegetables and stir-fry for a few minutes until they are tender. If you are using seafood, add it to the wok or skillet and stir-fry until it is cooked through. Finally, add the drained noodles and stir-fry until they are heated through and well coated with the sauce.

When stir-frying, make sure to keep the ingredients moving in the wok or skillet to prevent them from burning. You can also add more oil or water if the wok or skillet becomes too dry. Overall, Mee Hoon Goreng is a quick and easy dish to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Cooking Method

Using the Wok

To make a delicious Chinese Mee Hoon Goreng, you will need to use a wok. A wok is a versatile piece of cookware that is perfect for stir-frying. It is essential to use a wok because it distributes heat evenly and allows you to cook your ingredients quickly.

When using a wok, it is important to preheat it before adding any ingredients. This will ensure that the wok is hot enough to cook your ingredients properly. To preheat the wok, heat it over high heat for a few minutes until it starts to smoke.

Layering Flavours

One of the keys to making a delicious Mee Hoon Goreng is to layer your flavours. This means adding your ingredients in stages to build up the flavour of the dish. Start by cooking your aromatics, such as garlic, ginger and onions, in oil until they are fragrant. Then, add your protein, such as chicken or prawns, and cook until it is browned. Finally, add your vegetables and cook until they are tender.

Achieving the Perfect Texture

The texture of your Mee Hoon Goreng is just as important as the flavour. To achieve the perfect texture, you need to cook your noodles just right. Start by soaking your noodles in hot water until they are soft. Then, drain the water and add the noodles to the wok. Cook the noodles over high heat, stirring constantly, until they are slightly crispy.

To add some umami flavour to your Mee Hoon Goreng, you can use a stir-fry sauce. This will give your dish a savoury flavour that is sure to please your taste buds. If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can use vegetables like mushrooms and tofu instead of meat.

If you want to add seafood to your Mee Hoon Goreng, you can use prawns or squid. Simply cook the seafood in the wok with the rest of the ingredients until it is pink and cooked through. Alternatively, you can use dried anchovies or dried shrimp to add a seafood flavour to your dish.

Serving and Presentation

Plating

When serving Chinese mee hoon goreng, you can choose to plate it in a traditional or modern way. Traditionally, mee hoon goreng is served on a banana leaf, which adds a rustic touch to the dish. However, you can also opt for a modern presentation by using a plain white plate or a bowl.

To plate the dish, you can start by placing the noodles in the centre of the plate or bowl. Then, you can add the toppings such as green onions, napa cabbage, and your choice of seafood. Finally, drizzle some sweet soy sauce over the noodles to add a tangy flavour.

Garnishing

Garnishing is an essential part of serving mee hoon goreng. You can garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro, red chilli flakes, or lime wedges. These garnishes add a pop of colour to the dish and enhance the flavour.

Pairing with Sides

Mee hoon goreng can be served as a main course for lunch or dinner. However, you can also serve it as a side dish with other Chinese dishes. For example, you can pair it with pad see ew or fried rice.

Seafood is a great addition to mee hoon goreng. You can use shrimp, crab, or squid to add a seafood flavour to the dish. The seafood can be sautéed with the noodles or added as a topping.

Serving and presenting Chinese mee hoon goreng is all about creativity and personal preference. You can experiment with different plating styles, garnishes, and sides to make the dish your own.

Additional Tips and Variations

Adjusting Spice Levels

Chinese Mee Hoon Goreng is a spicy dish, but you can adjust the spice levels to your liking. If you prefer a milder flavour, reduce the amount of chilli powder or omit it altogether. On the other hand, if you like it extra spicy, add more chilli powder or add fresh chillies.

Alternative Ingredients

Mee Hoon Goreng is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. If you're vegetarian, skip the meat and add more vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and bok choy. You can also add tofu or tempeh for protein. If you're gluten-free, use rice flour instead of wheat flour.

For seafood lovers, you can add prawns or squid to the dish. They add a sweet and tangy flavour that complements the savoury flavour of the dish. Be sure to cook the seafood until it's fully cooked through.

Storage and Reheating

Mee Hoon Goreng can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, you can microwave it or reheat it on the stove. If it's too dry, add a splash of water or oil to moisten it.

When storing, be sure to separate any leftover omelette strips, sambal or lime juice. They can be stored in separate containers and added to the dish when reheating to maintain their freshness.

Overall, Mee Hoon Goreng is a flavourful and versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste and dietary preferences. With these tips and variations, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make a simple Mee Hoon Goreng with egg?

A simple Mee Hoon Goreng recipe with egg can be made by first frying garlic and onions in oil until fragrant. Then, add in sliced chicken or seafood and stir-fry until cooked. Next, add in sliced vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and bean sprouts and continue stir-frying. After that, add in the soaked and drained vermicelli noodles and seasoning such as soy sauce, sugar, salt, and white pepper. Finally, push the noodles aside and pour in beaten eggs and scramble until cooked. Mix everything together and serve hot.

What's the secret to the best-tasting Mee Hoon Goreng?

The secret to the best-tasting Mee Hoon Goreng is to use fresh ingredients and to not overcook the noodles. It is also important to use the right amount of seasoning and to stir-fry the ingredients over high heat to achieve a smoky flavour.

Can you share an authentic recipe for Mee Hoon Goreng?

Sure, an authentic recipe for Mee Hoon Goreng includes vermicelli noodles, chicken or seafood, garlic, onion, vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts, eggs, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and white pepper. The dish is typically stir-fried over high heat until the noodles are cooked and the ingredients are well combined.

What are the main ingredients for a classic Fried Bee Hoon Malaysian style?

The main ingredients for a classic Fried Bee Hoon Malaysian style include vermicelli noodles, garlic, onion, chicken or seafood, vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts, eggs, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and white pepper.

How does Mee Hoon Goreng differ from its original version?

Mee Hoon Goreng is a Malaysian-style Fried Vermicelli Noodles dish that has been adapted to suit local tastes. The original version of the dish is believed to have originated in China and typically includes ingredients such as pork, shrimp, and mushrooms.

What's the best way to include chicken in a Mee Hoon Goreng dish?

The best way to include chicken in a Mee Hoon Goreng dish is to slice it thinly and stir-fry it until cooked before adding in the other ingredients. Alternatively, you can marinate the chicken in soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper before stir-frying it to give it more flavour. For seafood lovers, you can also use prawns or squid as a substitute for chicken.