Hokkien Prawn Noodles

I was in a good mood lately. I received a carton of Prawn Noodle Paste from my sister, who resides in Malaysia. She had been visiting our mom in Penang Island and bought some packs of Prawn Noodle paste and couriered it to me. Two days later, I decided to go marketing for the ingredients needed for a meal of Prawn Noodles ala Penang Style.

From where you are, you may try to purchase a paste that is similar, perhaps of another brand. Among other pastes I have actually tried is the Teans Gourmet brand. However, I still find the one my sister sent me as the closest ever to the real thing sold on Penang Island.


If you get hold of the paste or any in particular, the cooking method is pretty easy. You will need to boil some pork ribs/spare ribs or whichever part of the pork cut (preferably with bones) to make your stock. Add some onions in it. I normally make my pork stock in advance and store in the freezer for many other uses. Follow the instruction on the amount of stock needed for the paste. Boil your stock and when it is simmering, add the paste into it. I added a small piece of rock sugar as most Penangites would in their Prawn Noodle soup.

Penang Hokkien Mee (Hokkien Prawn Noodles)

Ingredients:
Yellow Noodles
Vermicelli
Shrimps (Deveined, Halved and Blanched till just cooked)
Kangkung (Water Convolvulus)
Taugeh (Beansprouts)
Lean Pork / Prime Ribs (boiled till tender)
Hard Boiled Egg (cut into slices or quartered)
Fried Shallot (crispy type)

Arrange all this items in easy to access containers so that if you have guests over, you can let them enjoy an experience of DIY cooking.

Colanders with Kangkung, Beansprouts, Noodles, Vermicelli
Bowls with Shrimps, Eggs, Pork slices/prime ribs, Shallots



Method:
Cook your Prawn Noodle Paste with stock in a pot, left simmering.

Using a small metal colander for blanching (like those used by the noodle stalls), start by blanching your noodles, vermicelli then the vegetables. Place them in an empty serving bowl. Arrange your other condiments like shrimps, pork, eggs on top of the noodles and vegetable. Scoop ladles of soup into the bowl and garnish with lots of fried shallots.