Char Kway Teow: Wok-fried noodles bursting with smoky flavors!

What is Char Kway Teow?

Char Kway Teow is a popular stir-fried noodle dish from Malaysia. It’s a flavorful mix of rice noodles, savory soy sauce, shrimp, Chinese sausages, and bean sprouts. Making it involves stir-frying these ingredients over high heat to get that smoky “wok hei” flavor.

How to Make Char Kway Teow

To make Char Kway Teow, you stir-fry thick rice noodles with garlic, shrimp, Chinese sausages, and a rich sauce made of dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other tasty ingredients. It’s quick, easy, and super delicious!

Ingredients

• Fresh thick flat rice noodles: These are the base, giving the dish its chewy texture.
• Chinese sausages, thinly sliced: Add a sweet and savory flavor.
• Garlic cloves, diced: Infuse the dish with a strong, aromatic taste.
• Large shrimp: Provide a juicy, succulent protein.
• Slices of fish cake: Add a unique seafood flavor.
• Garlic chives aka Chinese chives: Offer a fresh, mild garlic taste.
• Egg (duck or chicken): Scramble it into the noodles for added richness.
• Bean sprouts: Add a crunchy texture and fresh taste.

Sauce

• Sugar: Balances the savory flavors.
• Dark caramel: Adds depth and sweetness.
• Dark soy sauce: Provides a rich, savory base.
• White pepper: Adds a hint of spice.
• Chicken powder: Enhances the umami flavor.
• Oyster sauce: Gives a deep, savory taste.
• Water: Helps mix the sauce evenly.

Steps

1. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
2. Heat a wok over high heat and add a bit of oil or pork lard
3. Add the Chinese sausages and stir-fry until they release their oil and are slightly crispy. Remove and set aside.

4. In the same wok, add the diced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
5. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Remove and set aside with the sausages.

6. Add the fish cake slices to the wok and stir-fry briefly.

7. Add the rice noodles to the wok and stir-fry, making sure to separate them and coat them evenly with the oil.
8. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir-fry until the noodles are well-coated and heated through.
9. Push the noodles to one side of the wok and crack the egg into the other side. Scramble the egg until cooked, then mix with the noodles.

10. Add the garlic chives, bean sprouts, shrimp, and sausages back into the wok. Toss everything together until well-mixed and heated through.

11. Serve hot, garnished with extra garlic chives or bean sprouts if desired.

Expert Tips for Perfect Char Kway Teow

Tips on Handling Rice Noodles

• Soak properly: Use hot boiling water to soak dried rice noodles. This makes them soft and ready to stir-fry.
• Don’t overcook: Fresh rice noodles can get mushy. Keep them firm by stir-frying quickly on high heat.

Combining Sauce Ingredients

• Mix well: Combine dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and other ingredients until smooth. This makes a rich, savory soy sauce mix.
• Balance flavors: Taste and adjust. Add more sugar for sweetness or dark soy sauce for a deeper color.

Browning Proteins

• High heat: Use a carbon steel wok for the best results. A non-stick pan can work too. High heat helps achieve a crispy brown texture.
• Right oil: Use oils with a high smoke point, like peanut oil or vegetable oil. This prevents burning and adds flavor.

Variations

Gluten-free Options

• Rice noodles: Use gluten-free rice noodles instead of regular ones.
• Tamari sauce: Swap out soy sauce with tamari sauce or coconut aminos to keep the dish gluten-free.
• Vegetarian stir fry sauce: Use it as a substitute for oyster sauce to maintain a savory taste without gluten.

Vegetarian Alternatives

• Extra-firm tofu: Replace shrimp and Chinese sausages with extra-firm tofu for protein.
• Vegetables: Add more vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, and carrots for a hearty meal.
• Vegetarian stir fry sauce: Use this instead of oyster sauce for a vegetarian-friendly dish.

Pairing Suggestions

• Curry puffs: These flaky pastries filled with spicy curry are a great side dish.
• Curry chicken: A warm, hearty dish that complements the savory soy sauce in Char Kway Teow.
• Spicy garlic bok choy: Adds a fresh, spicy contrast to the rich noodles.

• Choy sum: This leafy green vegetable is a healthy and tasty addition.
• Gai lan: Also known as Chinese broccoli, it pairs well with stir-fried noodles.

Storage Tips

How to Store Leftovers

• Airtight container: Store your leftover Char Kway Teow in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
• Refrigerator: Place the container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the flavor and texture for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze your noodles. They’ll keep well for up to a month.

Best Ways to Reheat

• Microwave: Place the noodles in a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Pan fry: Reheat in a non-stick pan or carbon steel wok over medium heat. Add a splash of water to prevent drying.
• Oven: You can also use an oven. Preheat to 350°F and bake for 10-15 minutes, covering the dish with foil.

Print