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Ever heard of mee goreng? I hadn’t until I met Mr. Scrummy and he told me how delicious these spicy Indonesian (or Malaysian!) street food noodles are. He was right, of course, and guess what? Great news – they’re pretty easy to make at home and taste just as delicious!
Almost exactly 2 years ago, I got married to the ever scrumptious Mr. Scrummy. And because we’re a bit of a complicated couple, instead of jetting off to some tropical island straight after the wedding for a fortnight of honeymoon bliss, we headed straight to Perth Australia where Mr. Scrummy is from and spent a few days in Singapore on our way. And in true foodie fashion, instead of lying around the pool in our luxury hotel staring lovingly into each other’s eyes like any normal just-married couple, we hit the streets of Singapore and ATE. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we walked into our first ‘hawkers’ bar’ of tens of different food stalls. We didn’t stop ooh-ing and ah-ing over amazing plates of noodles and the like until we waddled our way back to the airport a few days later.
One of the dishes we both enjoyed the most there was ‘mee goreng’ or spicy stir-fried noodles. While we were in Perth, it was really easy to get all the ingredients cheaply from Asian stores, or even just from ordinary supermarkets, so I decided I’d try to make us some mee goreng at home!
This is what baby pak choi looks like, in case you didn’t know (as I didn’t!) Just slice down the middle length-ways, then chop like you would a leek. Then wash well!
I’ve had a few ‘dud’ attempts along the way resulting in noodles either too rich or not flavourful enough, but now 2 years down the track I reckon I’ve finally managed to figure out the ‘perfect’ mee goreng recipe. I say ‘perfect’ (imagine air quotes) because obviously this is just in my opinion. You may well read my recipe and think “Wha …? This is nothing like mee goreng!” Disclaimer: these noodles may not be at all authentic, although I would like to think I’ve included most of the ‘must-haves’ in order for it to be actually called mee goreng!
You see, over time I’ve developed this recipe to include all the best things from the different versions of the recipe I’ve seen. Some recipes, for instance, include tomato ketchup, of all things, so I added a bit of that to give the sauce some extra tang. Most include egg. Some also include fresh chopped tomatoes, as well … so in go tomatoes in my version, too! Lastly, I add a tablespoon of peanut butter. I’m not sure that’s in a traditional mee goreng at all, but some people like to add it to theirs. And so do I!
And of course, this recipe is really only a guide! Use tofu instead of meat if you like or make it a shrimp mee goreng. If you want more spice, just throw in some more chili sauce
Personally, I think the noodles are just right. Neither too spicy nor too bland. Neither too saucy nor too dry. Full of ‘bits’ but with plenty of the comforting noodles, too. I also love the toppings … crushed peanuts (or cashews … why not?), dried fried shallots and lime juice. Oh, and I suggest adding more of the toppings as you eat. Just trust me on that!
One more tip. Maybe this is obvious, but I’ll say it anyway. I find it’s best to prepare everything first before you start cooking, as the dish takes hardly any time at all to cook. So slice your garlic, ginger and veggies, chop up your chicken and stir all the sauce ingredients together so that everything is ready to throw into your pan or wok when you’re ready to eat!
Oh, and please don’t be afraid of the uncharacteristically long (for here!) ingredients list. Most of the ingredients are for the sauce, which takes only a minute or so to whip together. You’ll spend more time on your trip to the Asian supermarket and getting all the different jars and bottles out of your cupboard! But it’s worth it, I promise!
Serves: serves 2 to 3
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon thick sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons chili sauce (I used sriracha, but any is fine)
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 3 tablespoons water
- sesame oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely or crushed
- a thumb-width-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped finely
- about 200 grams/7 ounces chicken breast or thighs, chopped into smallish chunks
- about 250 grams baby pak choi, chopped and washed
- 300-400 grams fresh egg noodles
- 2 large handfuls beansprouts
- 2 tomatoes, roughly diced
- lime segments, crispy fried shallots* & crushed peanuts or cashews
- In a medium bowl or jug, blend the kecap manis (thick sweet soy sauce) and light soy sauce into the peanut butter, then whisk in all the other sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat up a large drizzle of sesame oil in a wok on a medium heat, then whisk one of the eggs and pour it into the wok. Roll the pan to spread the egg out a bit, like you would a pancake, and cook for a minute or so. Flip over for a few seconds, then transfer to a plate, roll up and cut into thin strips. Repeat with the second egg. Set the egg bits aside.
- Add another drizzle of oil to the heated wok/pan, then add the garlic and ginger. Cook for a minute, then add the chicken. Stir fry for a couple more minutes or until just cooked through.
- Add the pak choi to the pan, stir fry for another couple of minutes until wilted and then add the noodles. Pour in the sauce at this point and combine all the ingredients well.
- At the last minute, add the beansprouts, tomatoes and eggs and combine well once again. Add a little extra drizzle of water if you think the dish needs it.
- Serve the noodles immediately, topping with the lime, crispy shallots and crushed nuts. Enjoy!
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I think I could probably just make this sauce, especially with the addition of the peanut butter and my husband would happily drink it for dinner! But….It think the noodles need to made too. Loving how you used sesame oil (I’m new to the sesame oil scene) and I love the pak choi and bean sprouts as well. I’m learning all sorts of things about ethnic foods and it’s certainly so fun to experiment!
Aw, really happy you like the ethnic spin in today’s post, Laura! This was actually the first time I’d used pak choi, and I loved it! The sesame oil isn’t essential, I suppose, but it really adds a lovely rich extra nuttiness to the dish. Really hope you give this a go some time!
I have doubt this is delicious. After cooking Sri Lanka with its encyclopedia of ingredients, I realized that’s sometimes what makes these dishes outstanding!
Thank you for your confidence, Chrissy! 🙂
You crack me up, “the ever scrumptious Mr. Scrummy”. 🙂 And these noodles look DELISH!!
Teehee … I better not let him read that. He’ll get a reeelly big head! Very happy you like the noodles!
We love this dish and always order it when we go to Bali or an Indonesian restaurant. I’ve never made it myself though!
You should give it a go, Lorraine! 🙂
This is one of my favourite spicydishes. I love how much flavour it has in it.
It’s really flavourful, isn’t it?? Glad you like it, Dannii 🙂
I always order a noodle dish when I eat Asian food. This looks so good and looks so much better, I have to try this for myself.
Really hope you do give it go, Janette! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you’re a noodle fan!
Helen – This looks so yummy! I don’t think I’ve ever had Indonesian food so I’ll definitely be trying this! Pinned!
Thank you so much for pinning this, Erin. I’m really happy to have introduced you to something new!
Oh how fantastic!! This looks lovely! I always love a good big bowl of noodles!
Thank you, Annie!
I love noodle dishes! These look divine and packed full of delicious flavours! Lovely recipe, thanks for sharing Helen! 😀
Thank you, Jess! Glad you like them! 🙂
My OH spent a lot of time in Indonesia and Malaysia and this is one of the things he makes a lot as a result.
Ooh, really? How does he make his? 🙂
Wow! This looks heavenly! Sounds like you guys had a great time exploring… and eating 🙂 I could totally go for a big bowl of this right now!
Thanks, Kathleen! 🙂
What a glorious bowl of tasty noodles! Happy Anniversary Helen, and we wish you and Mr. Scrummy many delicious food adventures together 🙂
J+C
Aw, thank you, girls! 🙂
Happy almost exactly anniversary!!! 🙂 And these noodles … goodness I could slurp up a big bowl of them. They look and sound fantastic!
Thank you, Ashley! 2nd anniversary is Monday! 🙂
Oh yes, this is totally up my alley. I love Asian inspired food. By far my favorite cuisine. Your noodles look the bomb!
Thank you so much, Miryam! And thanks for passing by, too!
I’ve been so lucky to have a few stop-overs in Singapore, but for some reason I decided to hit up the waterslides rather than indulge in some delicious noodley meals (this was when I was much younger and a less adventurous eater!) These look delicious, Helen! Sign me up!
Ha! I think we might hit the waterslides next time, too … but I’m sure we’ll still fit in some yummy noodles as well! Glad you like these noodles, Denise!
This dish has got my name all over it! I am definitely making it- it sounds totally amazing!
Thanks, Allie! Really happy to hear you’d like to give this one a go. I don’t think you’ll regret it!
I almost forgot to mention how much I like your new site design! 😀
Oh, thanks so much, Allie! We actually just changed the header and the colours … maybe I’ll move onto a total new site design some time in the future, but for now I’m liking this ‘new look’! 🙂
These noodles look crazy delicious and I’m sure they are! Love them! And I hadn’t heard of mee goreng until today, thanks for sharing!
Hi Mira! Really happy you have introduced you to something sooo delicious. Hope you give them a go some time!
I don’t think i’ve ever actually HAD mee goreng, but you’re making me want to!!
Ooh, please do try them, Joanne! They’re sooo easy to make vegetarian!
This dish is right up my alley, must make it. And ketchup, what an unexpected ingredient indeed! 🙂
Really hope you do try these noodles, Nicole. I could eat them every day!
Made this for dinner tonight and oh my was it good. The sauce is just amazing. I could eat it pretty much every night too.
Hello, Caroline! Oh wow, I am so pleased that you made this and enjoyed it! It really is fabulous, isn’t it? Pretty much my favourite meal, if I had to choose just one (pretty tricky!) Thank you so much for taking the time to try this and most of all for letting me know what you thought. 🙂
Tried this tonight, it’s fantastic! I love the sauce 🙂 added a little extra dash of sriracha (like it spicy) and it turned out awesome. Will be making this many times in the future. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Hello! So so happy to hear that you tried this and liked it. It’s one of my favourite recipes for sure. In fact now you’ve reminded me that I haven’t made it in a while and really must! Thank you so much for taking the time to post your feedback and … Happy holidays!
P.S. You might like my spicy peanut chicken too 🙂
Had some doubts that buying all these “special” ingredients for what could possibly be a one-time dish was going to be worth it but you made it look so delicious we had to give it a try. Needless to say this is NOT a one time dish…we will be making it again and again because it is kickass!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hello Dana! Your comment really made my day today. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this so much. I must admit it’s got more ingredients in it than I’d usually use in one recipe, but I agree with you – totally worth it. Thanks so much for popping by and letting me know that you enjoyed it – I REALLY appreciate it!
Happy Holidays! 🙂
Oh my gosh. I just tried this recipe after seeing it on Pinterest and I had to report back to you that it was a HUGE hit. It was so good! Usually I am skeptical of making Asian recipes at home because they never taste like takeout to me, but this was so much better! It’s going into regular rotation in our house. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Hi Lara! Thank you SO much for popping by to leave such a glowing review. You’ve really made my day! Everyone I know who’s made this (and many readers) have loved it. There’s something about it, isn’t there? It’s just SO tasty. Mmmm … now you’re making me crave this again!
Have you tried my ‘mee goreng’ as well – if you like this, I think you might enjoy that too! 🙂
Could you tell me what other type of noodles I could use? My shopping is a bit limited. Thanks!!
Hi Judy! To be honest you could give this a go with any noodles you like! I usually use egg noodles, but I think it would still be delicious with wheat flour noodles, or you could even just use spaghetti in a pinch. If you can’t find fresh noodles, just pre-cook dried ones and add them at the end. What kind of noodles can you find? 🙂
Hi I’m Indonesian, living in Sydney currently. And been craving for Indonesian food. I came across to your website and decided to give this recipe a go.
And I’m so glad I did! It was delicious! I doubled the sauce and added a bit of nasi goreng paste, it was perfect!
Thanks again for the easy recipe!
Wow, I’m amazed (and humbled, to be honest!) that an Indonesian gave this a go and liked it! Thank you so much for popping by and giving your feedback! And of course it’s never a bad idea to double sauce!
I made your lovely pad ga prao last week which was gorgeous and very simple. Since I had the more unusual Asian ingredients in the fridge, I made this one tonight. Again, delicious and really easy. I would honestly have paid £10 in a restaurant for it. OH very impressed too. I didn’t have sesame oil so just used a touch of vegetable oil instead. It was phenomenal. Thanks!
Hello Rachel! This sort of message really makes my day – thank you for taking the time to come here and leave your feedback!
I seem to get lots of positive feedback on this recipe, and now you’ve really made me want to make it again soon. If you like this and the pad ga prao, you might like my spicy peanut chicken too – similar Asian flavors and REALLY delicious if you’re a peanut-y sort of person! 🙂