Singapore Chow Mein (Singapore Noodles)

What is Singapore Chow Mein?

Singapore Chow Mein, also known as Singapore Noodles, is a popular Chinese stir-fried noodle dish that features on most Chinese takeaway menus. Despite its name, it is not actually a traditional dish from Singapore. Its origins are unclear, but it is believed to have been created by Chinese immigrants living in Hong Kong or the UK, who were trying to create a dish that would appeal to Western tastes.

The dish typically consists of thin rice vermicelli noodles stir-fried with a variety of vegetables such as onions, cabbage and carrots, and proteins such as shrimp, chicken, or pork and egg. The dish is seasoned with a blend of curry powder and other spices, which gives it a distinctive yellow colour and slightly spicy flavour that distinguishes the dish from more traditional chow mein dishes like Chicken Chow Mein or Special Chow Mein.

✅ 5 reasons why you'll love this recipe:

• Super tasty, nutritious and satisfying - with tasty proteins, lots of veggies with fragrant curry powder with an umami sauce
• Ready in 30 minutes - perfect for a weeknight dinner
• Adaptable - adjust the level of spiciness, experiment with different veggies or use different types of meat or protein
• Better than takeaway - packed with fresh veggies, it's healthier and quicker too
• Perfect for a fridge clear-out - add leftover veggies and meat

🛒 Ingredients and variations:

Noodles

Rice vermicelli noodles are the best option, as they are light and absorb flavours well. You should be able to find them in your local supermarket, but in my experience, these aren't as good as some of the ones I've picked up in Asian grocery stores. I particularly like Wai Wai noodles.

You can also try using other types of noodles, such as wheat noodles or egg noodles, if you prefer a different texture or flavour. Just keep in mind that the taste and texture may be a little different to what you might be expecting.

Proteins

The main proteins you'll find in Singapore Chow Mein are prawns, Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu) and egg. Char Siu takes 90 minutes to make plus 2 days of marinading so unless you have some leftovers available you'll probably want an alternative. I tend to use chicken thighs. You can use pork chops or rotisserie chicken. Ground meat is also an option although when I tested with ground pork I found it faded into the dish and didn't add a lot.

You can also skip some of the proteins if you prefer and increase the veggies. To make the dish vegetarian, simply replace the pork and prawns with more eggs and veggies. For vegan Singapore noodles, you can omit the egg as well as add more veggies or tofu.

Veggies

I like to add cabbage for extra umami flavour and crunch, carrot sticks for a little sweetness, and onion and spring onions. That said there are lots of options here so feel free to switch things up or use what you have available. This recipe is perfect for a fridge clear-out. Other options that will work well include courgette/zucchini, bell peppers and bean sprouts.

The best curry powder

A mix of curry powder, sugar, salt and white pepper gives the dish a distinctive flavour that sets it apart from other fried rice dishes.

Curry powder is the main ingredient in the spice mix, so you might be wondering which one to choose. A good curry powder will make all the difference. S&B curry powder is one of my favourites but another quality curry powder will work well. When it comes to spice level, feel free to choose mild, medium or hot based on your preference.

Sauce

My Singapore Noodle sauce is made from soy sauce, sesame oil and Shaoxing wine. You can swap the Shaoxing wine for Sake, dry sherry white wine or chicken stock for an alcohol-free option.

Gluten free Singapore Chow Mein

Rice vermicelli noodles are gluten-free, but please ensure you check the label or ask the manufacturer to ensure that there are no cross-contamination issues with gluten during the manufacturing process.

Soy sauce is the only other ingredient that contains gluten in this recipe. You can switch it for the same amount of tamari.

🧑‍🍳 Recipe steps

1. Noodles, sauce and spice mix

Cook the noodles according to packet instructions, drain, run under cold water and set aside. Mix the curry powder, chicken stock powder, sugar and white pepper in a small bowl and set aside. Then make the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, sesame oil and Shaoxing wine in another small bowl.

How to cook rice vermicelli: cooking the noodles is super simple and normally involves placing the noodles in a large Pyrex bowl or pan, pouring on some boiled water and leaving for 3-5 minutes until the noodles are almost done but still a little hard. That said cooking instructions can vary depending on the brand so make sure you check the packet first.

2. Cook the proteins

Place a pan on a medium heat, add a little oil and add the eggs. When they start to set scramble them into small pieces using chopsticks or a spatula and set them aside. Increase the heat of the pan and add the chicken and fry until brown. Then add the prawns/shrimp and cook for a minute or two more until opaque.

How to prepare the prawns/shrimp: prawns look and taste better when you butterfly them first. This simply means cutting each one open along the back and removing the dark vein. This allows them to cook more evenly and cleans them by removing their unappealing digestive tract. You can skip this part if you are pushed for time and the prawns will still taste okay, but it's worth the extra effort.

Variations:

As previously mentioned, Singapore Chow Mein is a flexible recipe that can be adapted to suit your tastes.

1. Vegetarian - Substitute meat with tofu, mushrooms, or any vegetables of your choice.
2. Spicy - Use extra chilli paste, chilli flakes or fresh chilli peppers to add a spicy kick.
3. Seafood - Include shrimp, squid or crab meat to give it a seafood flavour.
4. Pork - replace the chicken with pieces of pork fillet, loin or leg.
5. Beef - swap the chicken with beef. Sirloin, flank steak or rump all work well.
6. Peanut - Mix in some peanut butter into the sauce for a creamy, nutty flavour.
7. Char - Add Char Siu (Chinese barbecued pork) for a sweet and savoury taste.
8. Tangy - Add lemongrass, lime juice or vinegar to the sauce.

Serving suggestions

Packed with protein, fresh veggies and tasty spicy and umami flavour Singapore Noodles can certainly be considered a stand-alone meal. It can also be served alongside other Chinese takeaway-inspired dishes like Chinese Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup, Salt and Chilli Chicken or Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef.

🙋 FAQs

📦 Storage instructions

Singapore Chow Mein tastes best when served straight from the wok, but it can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Refrigerate as soon as it is cool after covering with plastic wrap or placing in an airtight container. Make sure you reheat it thoroughly on the stove or in the microwave.

I haven't attempted to freeze Singapore Noodles, and wouldn't recommend it because it's likely to alter the texture of the egg and vermicelli.

😋 More noodle recipes to try

Noodle recipes are versatile, quick, and easy to prepare, making them a convenient meal option for busy weeknights. If you enjoyed this recipe you should check out my other noodle dishes.