Malaysian Char Kway Teow: A Taste of Tradition

Char Kway Teow is a popular Southeast Asian dish from Malaysia and Singapore. It consists of stir-fried flat rice noodles, often with a combination of ingredients such as prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and sometimes fish cake.

CategoryDifficultyBeginner

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time30 mins

 4 tbsp Oil
 4 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
 6 qts Prawns, Deveined
 5 Fish Cake Slices
 1 tbsp Chilli Paste
 450 g Flat Rice Noodles
 2 qts Eggs
 1 cup Bean Sprouts
 30 g Chives
Sauce
 1 tsp Sugar
 2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
 1 tsp Fish Sauce
 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce

1

Combine sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce in a bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves.

2

Preheat a wok and add oil. Once hot, cook chopped garlic for 20 seconds, followed by prawns and fish cake slices for another 30 seconds each.

3

Stir in chili paste for 20 seconds.

4

Toss in flat rice noodles, stir-frying for a minute.

5

Push noodles to one side, add eggs, let base form, then mix with noodles.

6

Incorporate prepared sauce, stirring everything together.

7

Add bean sprouts and chives, toss to finish.

Char Kway Teow

Ingredients

 4 tbsp Oil
 4 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
 6 qts Prawns, Deveined
 5 Fish Cake Slices
 1 tbsp Chilli Paste
 450 g Flat Rice Noodles
 2 qts Eggs
 1 cup Bean Sprouts
 30 g Chives
Sauce
 1 tsp Sugar
 2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
 1 tsp Fish Sauce
 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce

Directions

1

Combine sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce in a bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves.

2

Preheat a wok and add oil. Once hot, cook chopped garlic for 20 seconds, followed by prawns and fish cake slices for another 30 seconds each.

3

Stir in chili paste for 20 seconds.

4

Toss in flat rice noodles, stir-frying for a minute.

5

Push noodles to one side, add eggs, let base form, then mix with noodles.

6

Incorporate prepared sauce, stirring everything together.

7

Add bean sprouts and chives, toss to finish.

Char Kway Teow

Tips

Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking. Stir-frying happens quickly, so being prepared is key.

Proper Wok Heating: Ensure your wok is properly heated before adding oil. You should see a slight shimmer on the surface of the oil before adding ingredients.

Quick Cook for Ingredients: Prawns and fish cake cook quickly. Be attentive and cook them just until they turn pink and are heated through to maintain their texture and flavor.

Egg Technique: Push the noodles to one side of the wok and let the eggs form a base. This prevents the eggs from spreading too much and ensures they incorporate evenly into the noodles.

Noodle Stir-Fry: Stir-fry the noodles vigorously to prevent them from sticking together. Keep them moving for even cooking and distribution of the sauces.

Sauce Incorporation: When adding the sauce, ensure it’s well-mixed before pouring it into the wok. This guarantees an even distribution of flavors throughout the dish.

Customize Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili paste to suit your spice tolerance. You can always add more later if you prefer more heat.

Don’t Overcrowd the Wok: It’s essential not to overcrowd the wok with too many ingredients at once. This can lead to uneven cooking and steaming rather than stir-frying.

Experiment with Veggies: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the dish for added color, flavor, and nutrition. Just make sure to adjust cooking times accordingly.

Garnish Creatively: Garnish your finished dish with fresh herbs like cilantro, chopped scallions, crushed peanuts, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra texture and visual appeal.

Taste and Adjust: Before serving, give the stir-fry a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add a splash more of soy sauce or a touch of lime juice for a burst of acidity.

Serve Immediately: Stir-fried dishes are best enjoyed right after cooking. The flavors and textures are at their prime when served fresh and hot.

FAQs

Q. Can I use different types of noodles for this recipe?
A: Absolutely! While flat rice noodles are traditional, you can experiment with other noodle types like egg noodles or even whole wheat noodles.

Q. Is there a substitute for fish sauce?
A: If you want to avoid fish sauce, you can use soy sauce or tamari for a slightly different flavor. Keep in mind that it might alter the overall taste a bit.

Q. Can I adjust the level of spiciness?
A: Definitely. The spiciness comes from the chili paste. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of chili paste according to your preference for heat.

Q. Can I add more vegetables to the stir-fry?
A: Absolutely! This recipe is versatile. You can include bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli to enhance the nutritional content and add more color to the dish.

Q. What is the purpose of pushing the noodles to the side and adding eggs?
A: Pushing the noodles to the side and adding eggs separately allows the eggs to form a base and then mix into the noodles. This technique distributes the egg evenly and adds a silky texture to the dish.

Q. Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Just give it a good stir before incorporating it into the dish.

Q. Can I use pre-cooked noodles?
A: Using pre-cooked noodles can save time, but freshly stir-frying the noodles allows them to absorb the flavors of the sauces and other ingredients better.

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