Hokkien Mee (as it is traditionally called in penang) is a noodles swimming in a bowl of spicy aromatic pork ribs and prawn head broth. It is served up with sliced hard boiled eggs, beansprouts, fish cake,fried scallions and kangkung (morning glory/water spinach). It is as traditional as one can get to Penang’s breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper/snack food.Well, at least for me.

It is one of my favourite dishes and also one of the hardest to find out of Malaysia. According to Rasa Malaysia, it is quinsentially Hokkien, as she actually found it sold during her visits to China. Out of Penang even.Somehow the KL versions (called har meen) are never the same – the broth is always lacking the certain oomph that could’ve come from the dirty Penang tap water.Maybe its the prawn/shrimp from Penang.Either way,no one can replicate it – especially not me.

As you would’ve probably guessed by now, I made it last weekend. BUT I cheated and used the Hup Leong instant Prawn noodle flakes rather than put in the effort that she had put in – well, padan muka (serves me right), mine came out tasting worse than the KL version; so I am actually recommending you to use her recipie instead of mine:). Looking at how pretty hers turned out is making me depressed..grr. But I shall blog it anyway ya? In case you’re lazy like me/so desparate for a bowl you would use instant.

Inggredients – broth
1 pack Hup Leong Prawn noodle flakes
1.5pounds pork ribs
3 chillies
3 pint water

noodles
1/2 rice noodle & 1/2 egg noodle (yellow mee)
beansprouts
fish cake boiled
boiled prawns, sliced
boiled egg, sliced
Garnish with sliced scallion

Don’t really need instructions, but I boiled my ribs for around 2 hours even though I should be doing it for 3-4 hours at least. Can you see how upset I am, not even in the mood to talk about food – outrageous.

However, i saved the stock and had it again the next day. It was considerably better as I had dunked more scallions in it, thickening it; and seeing that the ribs have been bubbling away, it created a yummier and jucier stock. So all is not lost on instant.

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• thai glass noodle salad (Yam Woon Sen)
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• no pics…