Malaysia | Singapore | Noodles | Rice Noodles | Shrimp | Stir Frying

Char Kway Teow Recipe

Char Kway Teow

(Malaysian-Singaporean stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp)

Yield: 3-4 servings


INGREDIENTS PREP AMOUNT
Oil 1/4 cup
Garlic minced 2-3 cloves
Sambal oelek (chile paste) 1-2 Tbsp
Chinese sausages sliced in rounds 1-2 each
Shrimp peeled, deveined 1/2 lb
Fresh rice noodles 1 lb
Soy sauce 1/4 cup
Brown sugar 1 Tbsp
Eggs beaten 2 each
Mung bean sprouts 1 cup
Scallions chopped 3-4 each

METHOD

Basic Steps:  Stir fry aromatics → Stir fry meat → Stir fry noodles → Cook egg → Stir in vegetables
  1. Heat the oil in a wok or heavy bottomed pot over high flame. Add garlic and sambal oelek and stir fry quickly, about 30 seconds.
  2. Add Chinese sausage and shrimp and stir fry till shrimp is cooked through.
  3. Add rice noodles and stir fry to heat noodles through. Scrape bottom of wok or pot frequently to minimize sticking. Add the soy sauce and brown sugar and stir in to season noodles.
  4. Scoop the noodles away from the center and pour the beaten egg in the cleared space. Let egg cook till just set then stir into the noodles.
  5. Add the sprouts and scallions and continue to stir fry until the sprouts are just cooked through. Adjust seasoning with soy sauce and a pinch of salt and serve.

VARIATIONS

  • Authentic recipes use a mixture of dark and light soy sauce to give a darker color to the finished dish. Try using 3 Tbsp dark soy and 1 Tbsp light soy sauce.
  • If you can't locate fresh rice noodles, you can use dried rice noodles. Place 1/2 lb noodles in a large bowl and pour boiling water over to cover. Let set 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and use in recipe as directed.
  • Use 3-5 minced hot chilies in place of the sambal oelek if you like.
  • If you can find Chinese chives, use them in place of the scallions.
  • Other possible additions: shallots (add with garlic), chopped chicken meat, squid, clams, cockles, crab meat or tofu (add with shrimp), shredded Chinese cabbage, bok choy, spinach or other greens (add with sprouts).
  • Add 1-2 Tbsp oyster sauce instead of the sugar if you like.

NOTES

  • Char kway teow, which simply means "fried flat noodles", is a popular and cheap dish found in Malaysia and Singapore. It started out as a poor laborer's meal, but has spread in popularity. The dish was originally stir-fried in lard and so obtained a reputation as being unhealthy. You can use healthier vegetable oil instead.
  • Sometimes spelled chow kueh teow.