Asia

Malaysian Char Kway Teow

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Malaysian char kway teow with smoky flat rice noodles, shrimp, Chinese sausage, egg, bean sprouts, scallions, and chili.

Char kway teow is a famous Malaysian stir-fried noodle dish where flat rice noodles are cooked quickly over high heat with shrimp, egg, sausage, and bean sprouts.

The wok should be hot and the ingredients ready before cooking so the noodles pick up a smoky char without becoming soft.

Malaysian char kway teow with smoky flat rice noodles, shrimp, Chinese sausage, egg, bean sprouts, scallions, and chili.

Cook in two batches if your skillet is small. Crowding traps steam and makes the noodles less smoky.

Serving Suggestions

Serve immediately with sliced chilies, lime, and a small dish of sambal. Keep the portion casual and hot from the pan.

A close-up serving of char kway teow with flat rice noodles, shrimp, Chinese sausage, egg, bean sprouts, and scallions.

Recipe Notes

Char kway teow is best fresh. Prep all ingredients ahead and stir-fry leftovers briefly over high heat.

Malaysian char kway teow with smoky flat rice noodles, shrimp, Chinese sausage, egg, bean sprouts, scallions, and chili.

Malaysian Char Kway Teow

Smoky Malaysian flat rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, Chinese sausage, egg, bean sprouts, and scallions.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Malaysian
Calories: 560

Ingredients
 
 

Stir Fry
  • 14 oz flat rice noodles fresh or softened dried
  • 8 oz large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 6 oz Chinese sausage thinly sliced
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 cups bean sprouts rinsed
  • 4 large scallions cut into pieces
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil divided
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
Sauce
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar

Equipment

  • Wok or large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Small bowls
  • Tongs
  • Chef’s knife

Method
 

Prepare:
  1. Whisk the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar in a small bowl.
  2. Keep the noodles, shrimp, sausage, eggs, sprouts, scallions, and garlic beside the wok before cooking.
Stir fry:
  1. Heat half the oil in a wok over high heat. Cook the sausage and shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
  2. Add the remaining oil and garlic. Add the noodles and sauce and toss quickly for 2 minutes.
  3. Push the noodles aside, add the eggs, and scramble briefly. Fold in the sausage, shrimp, sprouts, and scallions.
  4. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more until hot and lightly charred.
Serve:
  1. Divide immediately among plates and serve with sliced chilies and lime.

Nutrition

Calories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 27gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 250mgSodium: 1320mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Notes

  • Fresh rice noodles give the best texture.
  • Do not overwork softened dried noodles or they may break.
  • Add a little sambal at the table for heat.

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