Mie Aceh (Spicy Aceh Noodles)
In short: Thick yellow noodles stir-fried with beef, shrimp, tomato and a chili paste spiced with cumin and cardamom, finished with lime and pickled cucumber. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Mie Aceh is the fiery noodle dish of Aceh, at the northern tip of Sumatra, where cooks use warm spices such as cumin, cardamom and cinnamon that are rare in most Indonesian food. Thick yellow noodles are stir-fried with beef, shrimp and tomato in a red chili paste. It is usually served with pickled cucumber, shallots and a squeeze of lime, and it can also be made as a soupy curry.
Instructions
- Boil the noodles for 3 minutes, drain, rinse and toss with a little oil. Blend the shallots, garlic, chilies, ginger and ground spices into a paste.
- Heat the oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Fry the paste for 3 minutes until fragrant and the oil starts to separate.
- Add the beef and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until browned. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes, until pink and curled.
- Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes, until the tomatoes break down.
- Add the cabbage, noodles, kecap manis, soy sauce and water. Toss over high heat for 3 minutes, until the noodles are coated and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fold in the spring onions. Serve hot, topped with pickled cucumber and fried shallots, with lime wedges on the side.
Tips
- Fresh thick yellow noodles give the authentic chew. If you only find dried spaghetti-style egg noodles, cook them until just tender and add a splash more water at the end.
- For a soupy mie Aceh kuah, add 500 ml (2 cups) of beef stock and 100 ml of coconut milk in step 5 and simmer for 5 minutes instead of tossing.
Questions and answers
Is mie Aceh very spicy?
Traditionally yes, with plenty of chilies. Use 4 for a medium heat and remove the seeds for less. Pickled cucumber and lime help cool the heat.
Can I use only seafood or only beef?
Yes. Mie Aceh is often made with crab, squid or shrimp, or with just beef or goat. Keep the total protein to about 350 g and adjust the cook time.
What is the difference between mie Aceh and mie goreng?
Mie Aceh uses thicker noodles and a spiced chili paste with cumin and cardamom, so it is hotter and more aromatic. Mie goreng is sweeter and uses mostly sweet soy sauce.
How long does it take to make Mie Aceh (Spicy Aceh Noodles)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mie Aceh (Spicy Aceh Noodles)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
