Saturday, June 23, 2007

Singapore Style Mee Siam

Can you see the vermicelli noodles in this mee siam picture? It's in there!
Oh! Trying to take a second shot. I know the noodles are in there somewhere!
Okay, finally took away some of the toppings and changed the bowl. Told you there were noodles there...
That's the motherload of noodles for the recipe...


Singapore style mee siam is rice vermicelli swimming in a spicy gravy and served with lots of garnishes like shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, baked tofu, chives, and key-lime-size limes. There are many debates of where mee siam originated, some say that it's from Thailand (which makes sense since Thailand was known as Siam till 1939, and once again from 1945 to 1949 according to Wikipedia). Others claim that it's indian (a sweeter version) or malay. Regardless of who made it first, this dish has a spicy, sweet, tasty broth and is popular as a snack food any time of the day. There are a limited amount of ready-made mee siam paste sold here, though I have no idea which one would be more authentic since I have never made this dish before.

According to my dear friend and fellow blogger Ching, the mee siam in Malaysia is different from Singapore as the malaysian version is drier. Since she had enquired about Singapore style mee siam, I browsed my library of cookbooks to find a recipe for this dish to surprise her on her visit. Finally found one by Mrs. Leong Yee Soo, and this is the result of my first mee siam cooking from scratch. This recipe comes in three sections... Firstly, the sauce for the noodles was spicy enough to wake up your mouth (fourth picture above). Secondly, the gravy was interestingly sweet and spicy with flavors of bean paste, and lastly, the sambal (that spot on the first 2 pictures that's loaded with chili seeds) was wonderfully hot sourish and spicy with flavors of tamarind (sweet and sour), dried chilies, onions, and hae bee (dried shrimp). I was so excited with the outcome of this dish that I forgot to take some of the toppings out of the fridge! Now awaiting the verdict from judge Ching. Heh heh! Will need to check with my 'real' Singapore friends next to verify if this is authentic enough! LOL!



Darling, little E enjoying a meal with mommy Ching while happy, big E played with her friends..

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bravo! U are super brave to try it. I haven't the guts to do so yet. I will most likely soon when I crave for mee siam :p ... Your mee siam - very mouthwatering.

A Mature Student said...

Oooh, that looks so inviting. I would cook this if I know my family will help me finish it. :)

Anonymous said...

I love mee siam since it has the flavors of tamarind. Sour and spicy makes me happy.

Those prawns look huge...and your mee siam definitely makes it to Guinness Book of Records for the most generous garnishes!

WokandSpoon said...

Mee siam is one of my favourite dishes. I can just eat plate after plate of this - even if I'm not hungry!

East Meets West Kitchen said...

Thanks Cooking Ninja!

Hi J,
I agree. That's why I only try spicy, asian dishes when company comes over. :)

Hey C,
It's a pleasure to finally cook for you! The toppings you missed was the parsley and chives lah. :)

Thanks Tigerfish. Saw the big prawns at the market and couldn't resist it! :)

Hi Wokandspoon,
Yes, it's quite addicting, is it. I haven't had it for so long, and now I'm enjoying it for breakfast too! :)

Anonymous said...

Wahhhhh! I never thought I'd see the day you make mee siam from scratch leh. So domestic these days! - GB

Lee Ping said...

I just came from Little Corner of Mine's blog. However, when I scrolled down and I saw Ching's baby, I got a little confused.

Now, it is clear. It is so nice that both of you Mommy-Food-Bloggers are friends. You can support each other blogs and perhaps even trade foods!

cocoa said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Just hop over to check out your blog as well and saw this giant bowl of mee siam..it's 9AM CT and I am craving for you mee siam now. I don't thinks Singapore or Malaysia is serving this size anymore :)

East Meets West Kitchen said...

Hi GB,
If I don't make it, then I don't get to eat it, right? LOL!

Hi Lee Ping,
Yes, we are friends, and she's the better cook. :)

Thanks Cocoa! It's biggie size mee siam. LOL!

Cris said...

Hi! So you tried my limeade! Great to hear! Your baby is just sooo cute! Will try the pink lemonade!

Big Boys Oven said...

my GOD, GIANT PRAWN ATTACK!!!!