Mie Goreng (Indonesian Fried Noodles)

Mie goreng is Indonesia’s take on fried noodles, brought over by Chinese traders and made utterly local with kecap manis and sambal. Every street stall and household has a version, and arguments over the right balance of sweet, salty, and hot are part of the fun. This one is the classic, and it comes together faster than a delivery order on the hungriest of nights. It is the dinner of record for busy families, and it uses whatever vegetables are in the drawer.

Glossy, sweet-smoky noodles in a hot wok

Chewy egg noodles are tossed at high heat with cabbage, chicken, and a sweet soy sauce that coats every strand in a mahogany glaze. The scrambled egg folded through at the end makes it rich, and a squeeze of lime cuts through the sweetness. It is quick, satisfying, and endlessly flexible — swap in shrimp or beef and it is still perfect.

Craving more? Explore all Indonesian Kitchen recipes.

Want the full story on the sauces behind this dish? See our Beginner’s Guide to Asian Sauces & Seasonings.

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