Char kway teow

Flat rice noodles stir-fried at high heat with prawns, egg, bean sprouts, chives, and a savory-sweet soy sauce, giving a smoky wok flavor.

Char kway teow

Char kway teow: Elizetang, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Where it comes from

A hawker classic of Penang, Malaysia, and Singapore. It is traditionally cooked over a hot flame so the noodles pick up wok hei, the breath of the wok.

Explore the cuisine of Malaysia, Singapore.

Recipe

Make Char kway teow at home

Serves 2Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 10 oz fresh flat rice noodles
  • 8 large shrimp, peeled
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1 handful garlic chives, cut in lengths
  • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp chili paste
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • Chinese sausage, sliced (optional)

How it's made

  1. Mix dark soy, light soy, and a pinch of sugar in a bowl.
  2. Heat oil in a wok until smoking and fry the garlic and chili paste briefly.
  3. Add shrimp and sausage and cook 1 minute.
  4. Add the noodles and sauce and toss quickly over the highest heat.
  5. Push noodles aside, crack in the eggs, scramble, and mix in.
  6. Add the sprouts and chives and toss 30 seconds.
  7. Serve immediately.

Variations

  • Vegetarian with tofu and mushrooms
  • With cockles (kerang)
  • Duck egg version

Cook’s tip: Cook in small batches and keep the heat as high as possible.

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About this page

Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.

Photo credit