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A classic Cantonese style Singapore rice noodle or xing zhou chow mei (星州米粉) is a very popular noodle dish among Chinese restaurants. Also, this Singapore noodles recipe is delicious and takes around 20 minutes! It’s great for party food, lunch or dinner.

Love authentic noodles? Check out these beef chow fun, chicken udon stir fry and soy sauce noodles recipes.

What is Singapore noodles?

Singapore rice noodles is a stir fry of rice vermicelli noodles with some vegetables and meat. Also, it calls xing zhou mi fen ( 星州米粉) or sing jau chow mai (星洲炒米) in Chinese. Surprisingly, Singapore noodles are not from Singapore. It’s actually from Malaysia and Hong Kong.

What is the difference between Malaysia and Hong Kong style Singapore rice noodles?

Malaysia style Singapore noodles is stir fry rice noodles with tomato sauce, chili sauce, chili, vegetables, shrimp and meat. It’s red, a little sour and spicy.

On the other hand, Hong Kong style Singapore rice noodles is stir fry rice vermicelli noodles with curry powder, vegetables, shrimp and meat. The curry powder makes the noodles yellow.

What are the ingredients for Singapore vermicelli noodles?

This Singapore noodles recipe, I am going to share is Cantonese style from Hong Kong. The main ingredients are rice vermicelli noodles, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, shrimp, honey ham and curry powder.

You can use other vegetables if you like such as green and red bell peppers. Also, some people like to use char siu and add eggs. Besides, some like to add turmeric powder which adds more yellow color to the noodles.

Cooking tips for how to make Singapore noodles Chinese food:

Soak rice noodles in water for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking.
Use a non-stick pan to stir fry, so the noodles won’t stick on the pan and can use less oil for stir fry.
Stir fry vegetables, shrimp and honey ham and set them aside.
It’s easier to use a pair of chopsticks to stir fry rice vermicelli noodles.

FAQs:

What kind of rice noodles do you use?

I used Wai Wai brand rice vermicelli noodles which is 90% rice and 10 % water. Some like to use 100% of rice. Also, rice vermicelli noodles calls mei fun or mai fun in Chinese. It’s a type of thin rice noodles.

What sauce goes well with Singapore chow mei fun?

Personally, I like to add garlic chili sauce, xo sauce or chili oil when I eat this kind of chow mei fun because it gives more flavor to the noodles.

Do you need to soak mei fun before cooking?

Normally, I soak them before cooking because it shortens the time to cook rice vermicelli noodles, so it won't be mashy.

Instructions for how to make Cantonese style Singapore vermicelli:

1. Soak rice noodles into a bowl for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking.

2. Wash and cut ¼ head of cabbage into strips.

3. Peel off skin and cut 2 carrots into strips.

4. Cut 3 sticks of green onion into strips.

5. Then, cut honey ham into strips as well.

6. Stir fry cabbage in a pan, add ½ tablespoon vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt. Cover the lid for 1-2 minutes and stir fry until it is soft, set them aside.

7. After that, stir fry carrots in a pan, add ½ tablespoon vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt. Cover the lid for 1-2 minutes and stir fry until it is soft. Then, set it aside.

8. Add ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil into the pan. Then, add 3 cups of bean sprouts and a pinch of salt to stir fry for 1-2 minutes until it is a little soft. Let it set aside.

9. Pour ½ tablespoon vegetable oil into the pan, add shrimp, a pinch of salt and stir fry until it turns color.

10. Next, add honey ham, stir fry them a little bit and set them aside.

11. The following step, pour 1 tablespoon vegetable oil into the pan, add soaked rice vermicelli noodles, ½ teaspoon curry powder, ¼ cup water and ½ teaspoon salt (Remember to add salt to your taste). Stir fry the noodles and mix well with the curry powder.

12. Lastly, add the cooked vegetables, shrimp, honey ham, green onion and stir fry them until it is well mixed.

Enjoy this simple and tasty Singapore rice noodles recipe! Also, check out these instant noodles stir fry, laksa noodle soup and wonton noodle soup recipes.

Singapore Rice Noodles