RecipesSingaporeSingapore Char Kway Teow

Singapore Char Kway Teow

A popular stir-fried noodle dish featuring flat rice noodles and yellow noodles, wok-fried with dark soy sauce, prawns, cockles, Chinese chives, bean sprouts, and chili. Known for its smoky 'wok hei' flavor.

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings2
DifficultyMedium
Singapore Char Kway Teow - Singapore traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 250 g Flat rice noodles (kway teow)
  • 100 g Yellow noodles(fresh, blanched)
  • 150 g Prawns(peeled and deveined)
  • 100 g Cockles(cleaned, optional)
  • 50 g Chinese chives(cut into 2-inch lengths)
  • 50 g Bean sprouts
  • 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 2 tbsp Lard or cooking oil
  • 2 tbsp Dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Chili paste or sambal(to taste)
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 tbsp Pork lard(optional, for extra flavor)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the noodles: Soak the flat rice noodles in warm water until pliable. Blanch the yellow noodles briefly in boiling water and drain. Mix the noodles with a little dark soy sauce to give them color.

  2. 2

    Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and chili paste/sambal.

  3. 3

    Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Add lard or cooking oil (and pork lard if using). Add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Add prawns and cockles (if using) and stir-fry until the prawns turn pink and the cockles open. Push them to one side of the wok.

  5. 5

    Add the colored noodles to the wok. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and stir-fry, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated. Use high heat to achieve 'wok hei'.

  6. 6

    Push the noodles to one side. Crack the eggs into the empty space and scramble them lightly. Once almost cooked, mix them into the noodles.

  7. 7

    Add bean sprouts and Chinese chives. Stir-fry for another minute until the vegetables are slightly wilted but still crisp.

  8. 8

    Serve immediately, ensuring a good mix of noodles, prawns, cockles, and vegetables.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Achieving 'wok hei' (breath of the wok) is crucial for authentic flavor. Use high heat and don't overcrowd the wok.
  • Fresh cockles add a briny sweetness, but ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.
  • Pork lard can significantly enhance the richness and aroma of the dish.
  • Adjust chili paste to your preferred level of spiciness.

🔄 Variations

  • Add sliced fish cakes or squid for extra protein.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit seafood and cockles, and use mushrooms or firm tofu.

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