Mee Goreng Mamak (Indian-Muslim Fried Noodles)
In short: Yellow noodles stir-fried with prawns, egg, potato and tofu in a sweet, tangy and spicy tomato-chili sauce, a late-night mamak stall classic. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 730 kcal
Mee goreng mamak is the fried noodle dish of Malaysia's Indian-Muslim mamak stalls, open late into the night. Yellow noodles are tossed in a sticky red-brown sauce of tomato ketchup, chili sauce and sweet soy sauce, with prawns, tofu, egg, boiled potato and crunchy greens. It is sweet, tangy and spicy at once, and a squeeze of lime at the end lifts everything. The wok should be very hot and the cooking quick.
Instructions
- Stir all the sauce ingredients together. Pour boiling water over the noodles for 30 seconds to loosen them, then drain well.
- Heat a wok over high heat until it smokes. Add the oil, shallots and garlic and fry for 15 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the prawns and cook for 1 minute, until just pink. Add the tofu and potato and toss for 1 minute.
- Push everything to one side and crack in the eggs. Scramble them for 20 seconds, until nearly set, then mix them through.
- Add the noodles and pour in the sauce. Toss over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until every strand is coated and glossy. Splash in a little water if the noodles begin to stick.
- Add the tomato, choy sum and bean sprouts and toss for 1 minute, until the greens are just wilted.
- Serve hot with lime halves, fried shallots and green chili.
Tips
- Boil and cool the potato ahead of time. Fresh boiled potato falls apart in the wok, while a chilled one holds its shape when tossed.
- Swap the prawns for sliced chicken or beef, or add fried fish cake. For less sweetness, cut the ketchup to 1 tablespoon and the sweet soy sauce to 2 teaspoons.
Questions and answers
What does mamak mean?
Mamak is a Malaysian word for Indian-Muslim cooks and the stalls and restaurants they run. Mamak places are known for staying open late and serving noodles, roti and pulled tea.
What makes mee goreng mamak different from other fried noodles?
The sauce is built on tomato ketchup, chili sauce and sweet soy sauce, which gives a sweet, tangy and spicy red-brown coat. Potato, tofu and egg are also typical additions.
How do I make mee goreng mamak less spicy?
Use less chili sauce, or leave it out and add sliced fresh chilies on the side. The ketchup and sweet soy sauce keep it flavorful without much heat.
How long does it take to make Mee Goreng Mamak (Indian-Muslim Fried Noodles)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mee Goreng Mamak (Indian-Muslim Fried Noodles)?
About 730 kcal per serving, with 37 g of protein, 89 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 730 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 37 g |
| Carbohydrates | 89 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 1800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
