Authentic Singapore Style Wanton Mee Recipe

Ingredients

  • 200g of egg noodles
  • 150g of char siu (Chinese BBQ pork)
  • 20 wontons
  • 2 cups of chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks of choy sum (Chinese greens)
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon of water
  • 1 teaspoon of white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • Sliced green onions for garnish
  • Pickled green chilies, for serving

Steps and instructions

  1. Start by heating the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  2. Add the char siu to the pan and stir-fry for a couple of minutes until it is heated through.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer.
  4. While the broth is simmering, cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. It usually takes about 5 minutes to cook in boiling water.
  5. In a separate pot, boil the wontons until they float to the top. This should also take around 5 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  6. Using the same boiling water, blanch the choy sum for about one minute. Additionally, the greens should stay vibrant and slightly crunchy.
  7. By this time, the broth should have been simmering for at least 15 minutes. Add the cornstarch mixture to the broth and stir until the broth thickens. Add the sesame oil and stir again.
  8. Now it's time to assemble the Wanton Mee. Divide the cooked noodles between two bowls. Top each bowl with half of the broth, followed by the char siu, wontons, and blanched choy sum.
  9. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of green onions and serve with pickled green chilies on the side.

Tools for making

  • Pan - For sautéing the garlic and heating the char siu.
  • Pot - To boil the wontons and blanch the choy sum.
  • Slotted spoon - To remove the boiled wontons from the pot.
  • Bowls - To serve the Wanton Mee.
  • Whisk or spoon - To stir the broth and cornstarch mixture.
  • Chopping board - For slicing the char siu and green onions.
  • Knife - To slice the char siu and green onions.
  • Measuring cups and spoons - To accurately measure the ingredients.
  • Tongs - To handle the noodles and transfer them to the bowls.
  • Slotted spoon - For blanching the choy sum and removing it from the pot.

Recipe variations

  • Use different types of noodles such as rice noodles, udon noodles, or ramen noodles.
  • Replace the char siu with other proteins like roasted chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a meat-free option.
  • Add vegetables like bean sprouts, bok choy, or mushrooms to the dish.
  • Experiment with different sauces such as hoisin sauce, chili sauce, or black bean sauce.
  • Create a spicy version by adding chili oil or fresh chili peppers.
  • Include additional toppings like crispy fried shallots, chopped peanuts, or fried garlic.
  • Make it a soup-based wanton mee by adding more chicken broth and reducing the thickness of the sauce.
  • Try different seasonings and spices like five-spice powder, ginger, or star anise for added flavor.
  • Make it a healthier version by using whole wheat noodles or adding more vegetables.
  • Customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili or chili sauce used.

Recipe overview

Immerse yourself in the delightful flavors of Chinese cuisine with this Wanton Mee recipe. A beloved hawker dish in many parts of Asia, Wanton Mee brings together a tantalizing mix of textures and flavors that are sure to please. The dish consists of egg noodles topped with tender char siu (Chinese BBQ pork), juicy wontons, and fresh choy sum (Chinese greens), all bathed in a savory broth. The dish is rounded off with a garnish of green onions and served with tangy, pickled green chilies. In this recipe, you'll learn how to construct this dish from scratch, including how to perfect your broth and how to cook your ingredients to their ideal tenderness. So get ready to impress your family or guests with a meal they won't soon forget!

Common questions

  1. Can I use other types of noodles instead of egg noodles? - Yes, you can use other types of noodles such as rice noodles or even spaghetti if you don't have egg noodles on hand.
  2. Can I substitute the char siu with other meats? - Absolutely! Feel free to use roasted chicken, roasted duck, or even shrimp as a substitute for char siu.
  3. What can I use as a vegetarian substitute for the chicken broth? - You can use vegetable broth or mushroom broth as a vegetarian alternative for the chicken broth.
  4. Can I make the wontons ahead of time? - Yes, you can make the wontons ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook them.
  5. Can I freeze the leftover wontons? - Yes, you can freeze the leftover wontons. Just make sure to place them in an airtight container or freezer bag before freezing.
  6. What can I use as a substitute for choy sum? - If you can't find choy sum, you can use bok choy or baby spinach as a substitute.
  7. Is there a spicy version of Wanton Mee? - Yes, if you prefer a spicy kick, you can add some chili sauce or chili oil to the broth or serve the noodles with additional chili sauce on the side.
  8. Can I adjust the seasonings to suit my taste? - Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the amounts of oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper according to your personal preference.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Cooking pot - Used for boiling the noodles, wontons, and blanching the choy sum.
  • Pan - Used for sautéing the garlic and stir-frying the char siu.
  • Slotted spoon - Essential for removing the wontons from boiling water without transferring excess liquid.
  • Soup ladle - Helps to scoop and pour the chicken broth over the noodles.
  • Chopsticks - Traditional utensils for mixing and eating the Wanton Mee.
  • Bowls - Used for serving the Wanton Mee.
  • Serving spoons - For adding the char siu, wontons, and choy sum to the bowls.
  • Spoon - Used for stirring the broth and adding the cornstarch mixture.
  • Knife - For slicing the char siu and green onions for garnish.
  • Cutting board - Provides a surface for slicing ingredients.

Origin stories

Wanton Mee, a Cantonese dish that made its way across the South China Sea to the busy hawker stalls of Malaysia and Singapore, is a delightful play of tastes and textures. Legend has it that the dish was devised by resourceful Cantonese migrants, who brought their culinary heritage with them and adapted it to the tropical climes and local ingredients of their new home. Through the years, it evolved into a unique style of the noodle dish that is heartily loved by the locals. Each bite is a loving homage to its Cantonese roots and a nod to the culinary innovation that arose out of necessity and creativity, making it not just a meal, but a story unfolding with each delicious strand of noodle.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.