Mine Frite (Mauritian Fried Noodles)
Local name: Mine frite
In short: Egg noodles stir-fried with chicken, scrambled egg, cabbage, carrot and spring onion in a garlicky soy sauce. A Mauritian favorite from stalls and home. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Mine frite is the Chinese-Mauritian fried noodle dish that appears at street stalls, family lunches and celebrations alike. Egg noodles are stir-fried over high heat with chicken, garlic, ginger, shredded cabbage, carrot and scrambled egg, then finished with spring onion and a splash of soy sauce. A bottle of chili sauce goes on the table. The dish takes 15 minutes once the chopping is done.
Instructions
- Toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and the cornstarch, and leave for 10 minutes.
- Cook the noodles in boiling water until just tender, about 3 minutes for fresh and 5 for dried. Drain, rinse under cold water and toss with 1 teaspoon of oil.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over high heat. Pour in the eggs, scramble for 30 seconds until just set, then slide them onto a plate.
- Add another tablespoon of oil and stir-fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink. Add the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds.
- Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil, then the carrot and cabbage, and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the cabbage wilts but still has some bite.
- Add the noodles, the 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, the oyster sauce and the pepper. Toss for 2 minutes to heat through and coat evenly.
- Fold in the scrambled egg and spring onions and serve hot, with chili sauce.
Tips
- Fresh egg noodles give the best chew. Slightly undercook any noodle, because it finishes in the wok.
- Swap the chicken for shrimp, tofu or a mix, and throw in a handful of bean sprouts at the end. In Mauritius, shredded chayote often goes in with the cabbage.
Questions and answers
Can I make mine frite vegetarian?
Yes. Use cubed firm tofu or extra vegetables instead of chicken, and replace the oyster sauce with an extra spoonful of soy sauce.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Green beans, bean sprouts, mushrooms and chayote all work. Cut them thin so they cook in the short stir-fry time.
How spicy is mine frite?
It is mild as cooked. Chili sauce is served on the side, so each person adds heat to taste.
How long does it take to make Mine Frite (Mauritian Fried Noodles)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mine Frite (Mauritian Fried Noodles)?
About 540 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 62 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 540 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
