Penang Prawn Noodle: A Spicy and Savoury Malaysian Delight

If you're a fan of Malaysian cuisine, then you've probably heard of Penang prawn noodle.

This dish is a beloved prawn noodle soup that hails from Penang, a state in Malaysia.

Often sold by street vendors and hawkers, it's a favourite dish enjoyed throughout the day by locals and visitors alike.

Penang prawn noodle is a soupy yellow egg noodle dish with prawns. The broth of these noodles has a rich prawn flavour that's both sweet and umami.

The dish is typically served with sliced chilli padi and sambal, a spicy sauce made with hae bee, or dried shrimp.

If you're a fan of noodle soups or seafood, then Penang prawn noodle is definitely a dish you'll want to try.

Key Takeaways

• Penang prawn noodle is a beloved prawn noodle soup that hails from Penang, a state in Malaysia.
• The dish is a soupy yellow egg noodle dish with prawns, and the broth has a rich prawn flavour that's both sweet and umami.
• Penang prawn noodle is typically served with sliced chilli padi and sambal, a spicy sauce made with hae bee, or dried shrimp.

History and Origin

Cultural Significance in Penang

Penang Prawn Noodle, commonly known as Hokkien Mee in Singapore, is a popular dish in Penang, Malaysia. It is a staple food that is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

The dish has a cultural significance in Penang as it has been a part of the local cuisine for generations. It is a dish that is often served during special occasions such as weddings and festivals.

Evolution of Penang Prawn Noodle

The origins of Penang Prawn Noodle can be traced back to the Fujian province in China, where it was known as Hokkien Mee. Chinese immigrants brought the dish to Penang in the late 19th century, and it has since evolved to become a unique and flavourful dish that is distinct from its Chinese roots.

The dish is made by simmering prawn heads, pork bones and other ingredients to create a rich broth. The broth is then poured over yellow noodles and rice vermicelli, and topped with prawns, sliced pork, bean sprouts and fried shallots.

Penang Prawn Noodle has also evolved over time with the introduction of new ingredients such as hard-boiled eggs, fish cakes and squid.

Some versions of the dish also include kangkung, a type of water spinach that adds a fresh crunch to the dish.

Preparation and Ingredients

Traditional Recipe

If you want to make authentic Penang Prawn Noodle, you need to follow the traditional recipe.

The dish is made with yellow noodles or rice vermicelli and served in a rich broth made from prawn heads and shells, pork ribs and rock sugar.

To begin, you will need to boil the prawn heads and shells, pork ribs and rock sugar in a pot of water for several hours to create a rich stock. Then, you will need to strain the stock and set it aside.

Next, you will need to heat up some cooking oil in a wok and fry some chopped shallots until they are fragrant. Then, you will need to add the prawns and fry them until they turn pink.

After that, you will need to add the stock to the wok and bring it to a boil.

Once the stock is boiling, you can add the yellow noodles or rice vermicelli to the wok and cook them until they are tender. Finally, you can add some bean sprouts and boiled eggs to the wok and serve the dish with some sambal and chili paste.

Key Ingredients

The key ingredients in Penang Prawn Noodle are prawns, yellow noodles or rice vermicelli, pork ribs, prawn heads and shells, rock sugar, bean sprouts, boiled eggs, shallots, sambal and chili paste.

The prawns are the star of the dish and give the broth its rich flavour. The yellow noodles or rice vermicelli are the base of the dish and soak up the flavour of the broth. The pork ribs add some meatiness to the dish and the prawn heads and shells provide the flavour for the broth.

Cooking Techniques

To make Penang Prawn Noodle, you will need to use a few different cooking techniques.

You will need to boil the prawn heads and shells, pork ribs and rock sugar to create the stock. Then, you will need to fry some chopped shallots and prawns in a wok before adding the stock to the wok and bringing it to a boil.

Once the stock is boiling, you can add the yellow noodles or rice vermicelli to the wok and cook them until they are tender. Finally, you can add some bean sprouts and boiled eggs to the wok and serve the dish with some sambal and chili paste.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make Penang prawn noodle at home?

To make Penang prawn noodle at home, you will need a few essential ingredients such as prawns, pork ribs, garlic, shallots, chilli paste, and noodles. You can find a simple recipe with step-by-step instructions here.

Where can I find the best Prawn Mee in Georgetown?

Georgetown is famous for its street food, and there are many places where you can find delicious Penang prawn noodle. Some of the popular places include 888 Hokkien Mee, Kim Lee Coffee Shop, and Kedai Kopi Seng Thor.

What are the essential ingredients for a traditional Penang prawn noodle dish?

The essential ingredients for a traditional Penang prawn noodle dish include prawns, pork ribs, garlic, shallots, chilli paste, and noodles. Some recipes also call for bean sprouts, fried shallots, and fish cake.

Are there any instant versions of Penang Prawn Mee that taste authentic?

There are some instant versions of Penang prawn noodle available in the market, but they may not taste as authentic as the traditional dish. It's always better to make it from scratch using fresh ingredients.

Can you recommend a simple recipe for Prawn Mee soup?

You can find a simple recipe for Penang prawn noodle soup here. This recipe uses a combination of prawns, pork ribs, and chicken bones to make the broth, and it's served with yellow noodles, bean sprouts, and fried shallots.

How does Penang prawn noodle differ in taste from other regional noodle dishes?

Penang prawn noodle has a unique flavour that comes from the combination of prawns, pork ribs, and chilli paste used in the dish.

The broth is rich and flavourful, and the noodles are cooked to perfection.

This dish is quite different from other regional noodle dishes, such as laksa or mee goreng, which have their own distinct flavours and ingredients.