Mee Siam - Spicy fried thin rice noodles
Mee Siam - Spicy Fried Rice Noodles
Ingredients:
- 300 grams rice vermicelli noodles (thin rice noodles), soak in water until soft and drain, approximately 30 minutes
- 150 grams bean sprouts
- 4 eggs (slightly beat eggs in a bowl, add ½ teaspoon light soy sauce and a pinch of white pepper powder. Fry eggs into thin omelets in a non stick pan. Slice the omelet into strips. Set aside)
- 200 grams firm tofu (cut into strips, shallow fry until golden brown)
- 2 fish cakes, sliced into thin pieces
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or sugar
- 1½ tablespoon fish sauce or light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 4 tablespoons cooking oil
- coriander leaves for garnish, around ½ bunch
Paste ingredients:
- 6 cloves garlic, roughly cut into small pieces
- 5 shallots, roughly cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons fermented soy bean paste
- 4 tablespoons dried shrimps (rinse, clean and soak in water, drain before use)
- 6 red chilies (seed removed, cut into 1 inch)
- 100ml water
Mee Siam is a popular rice vermicelli noodle dish in Malaysia and Singapore. It is a nice breakfast or tea break food. It is a common dish you can find during events and gathering too. There are “dry” and “gravy” versions, both are spicy and a little bit sour. Dry version mee siam is simply fried rice noodles and gravy version served with light gravy. The preparation and cooking are a bit tedious, but it's worth it for the deliciousness and also nothing too difficult. Just need patience and time.
Steps:
- Grind all paste ingredients in a blender until come to a smooth paste.
- Heat cooking oil in a pan, turn to medium low heat, add the paste, keep stirring and cook until fragrant. Paste color will turn darken and oil separates. Be patient, it's taking time.
- Add lime juice and brown sugar, stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Add fish cake, tofu. Stir and cook for 2 - 3 minutes.
- Add in rice vermicelli, toss until the noodles well coated with the paste and soften.
- Season with fish sauce.
- Add bean sprouts, stir and toss for 3 - 5 minutes until everything mix nicely and vegetables are cooked.
- Taste, add more fish sauce if needed.
- Remove from heat.
- Top with omelet, garnish with coriander and serve.
