Mie Goreng (or Mee Goreng) is an Indonesian noodle dish that’s also found in Malaysia and other parts of South East Asia. With a sticky, savoury sweet sauce, noodles are tossed with chicken, prawns, vegetables and signature egg ribbons. A street food favourite!
Mie Goreng (or Mee Goreng)
I’m a sucker for good noodles. It’s one of the greatest joys of travelling around Asian – noodles galore! (And often dirt cheap, at that)
This one originates from Indonesia – called Mie Goreng or Mee Goreng. It’s also pretty common in Malaysia though you’ll find the Malaysian version often has a hint of curry powder added.
The unique thing about Mie Goreng is the sweet sticky sauce, and that there’s a good variety of “stuff” in the noodles. Though there’s no exact rules about what goes in it, the combination I’ve used in this recipe is pretty common – chicken, prawns, cabbage, bean sprouts, green onion and the signature “egg ribbons” which is simply a thin egg omelette rolled up and sliced into strips (it seriously takes less than 2 minutes to make).
What goes in Mie Goreng
Here’s what you need to make Mie Goreng. Feel free to switch around the protein and vegetables – just follow the quantities in the recipe so you don’t dilute the flavour!
Kecap Manis – sweet dark soy sauce
The key ingredient in the signature sticky noodle sauce is Kecap Manis which is a syrupy sweet soy sauce that adds both flavour and sweetness into the sauce as well as thickening it.
Nowadays you’ll find it in the Asian section of large supermarkets in Australia, such as Woolworths and Coles.
Noodles for Mie Goreng
In both Indonesia and Malaysia, Mie Goreng is made with all sorts of noodles. Thick, thin, crinkly, smooth.
What might surprise you though is that Mie Goreng is actually commonly made by street vendors using instant noodles! Literally, the noodles you get in ramen and other instant noodles packets (just toss the seasoning packet).
I like using instant noodles for Mie Goreng because you get that signature crinkly look just like you get from street food vendors!
How to make Mie Goreng
This is made like any stir fried noodles, with the addition of an extra step to make egg ribbons first. Just simply make a thin egg omelette, roll it up and slice.
Then we toss this back into the dish right at the very end.
You’ll notice that the sauce is quite thick and sticky, so once you start tossing the noodles, the sauce will reduce quite quickly.
This is what we want to happen! The sauce sort of caramelises on the noodles which adds extra flavour – trust me, you will know when the noodles are ready to come off the stove.
What to serve with Mie Goreng
There’s a decent amount of vegetables in this, so I think it’s ok to serve as a meal without a side of vegetables. But if you do want to add something to the menu, try one of these – they are refreshing sides so will be a nice contrast to the strong flavour in this noodle dish.
This recipe serves 2 to 3 people which I know is an odd number. But it’s one of those dishes that’s hard to make in big batches because you need to toss enthusiastically to mix everything up and get things browning and caramelising
So even with a large wok or skillet, there’s only so much you can make in one go.
Enjoy! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Mie Goreng (Mee Goreng)
Ingredients
Noodles - use ONE (Note 1):
- 3 instant noodle cakes (I use this)
- 250g/8oz fresh egg noodles , thin to medium
- 150g / 5oz dried egg noodles , thin to medium
Sauce:
- 2 tbsp kecap manis (or dark sweet soy sauce) (Note 2)
- 2 tsp light soy sauce (or normal soy, Note 3)
- 2 tsp dark soy sauce , or more light soy sauce (Note 3)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (Note 4)
- 2 tbsp ketchup (yes really!)
- 1 tsp sambal oelak, chilli paste or Sriracha (adjust spiciness to taste)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Stir Fried Noodles:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 eggs , lightly whisked
- 3 garlic cloves , finely chopped
- 120g/4oz chicken breast or thigh , sliced thinly into small bite size pieces
- 100g/3.5oz prawns/shrimp , raw, peeled and deveined (smaller are better)
- 2 cups cabbage , finely sliced (any green or white cabbage)
- 1 cup beansprouts
- 3 green onions , cut into 5cm/2" lengths (green and white part)
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce in a bowl.
- Prepare noodles per packet directions just before cooking.
Egg Ribbons:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in egg, swirl to coat base. Cook 1 minute until mostly set, then flip (do your best!).
- Slide onto cutting board, roll up into loose "wrap". Slice into 1cm/ 1/3" thick pieces - you now have egg ribbons!
Cooking:
- Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in same skillet over HIGH heat.
- Add garlic and chicken, cook until half surface turns white.
- Add prawns and cook for 1 minute until chicken is mostly cooked.
- Add cabbage and bean sprouts, toss for 1 minute until a bit wilted.
- Add noodles, green onions and Sauce, toss for 1 - 2 minutes until Sauce reduces and noodles caramelise a bit.
- Toss through egg ribbons and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Your Noodle Life
Life of Dozer
My lovely new neighbours left some fresh bread by my front door – and Dozer was quick to check it out, thinking it was for HIM!!!
Paws off Dozer, that’s for ME!
Really nice, I’ll up the heat a bit for the next one
This recipe is so good!!! I made it so much I now have made a big batch of this mie goreng sauce for the fridge like your Charlie sauce. Quick, easy and healthy dinner ready to go!!! Love it. Thanks Nagi 😋
I had Mie Goreng I Singapore and it was my favorite dish. Your recipe is as close as I could come but still enjoyed this. My family said it was their best Asian dish and wondered why you cannot find at Asian restaurants. We shared the recipe and now my friends all enjoy. They als like my Pancit
Another fantastic quick easy tasty recipe!!! Thanks Nagi x
Stunning recipe! Helpful video 👌
These noodles are absolutely delicious and so easy to make!
Wow. Good stuff. Used half thin/half thick noodles prepared according to package instructions. Totally making this again.
Hey!!
Tried this today, thanks for a great recipe!
Mine didn’t turn out like yours, the colour wasn’t there.
I kinda messed up by using frozen prawns without thawing and draining first, missing out the light soy and using 4 packets of instant egg noodles instead of the 3 indomie you recommended lol…
I’m inspired to give it another go, I’m no gourmet cook but your recipe was so easy to follow for even a cackhander like me!
Hi Rave, using more noodles to the ratio of sauce is probably why your colour was off – also, thaw the prawns and drain next time too! SO glad you’re willing to give it another go though!! N x
The second time was a triumph! The flavours and colour really came out and I just demolished it for dinner. Thank you very much Nagi!
I really love all your recipes.
this is definitely my GO-TO website where I can easily find you. your Asian, esp Chinese, recipes are the very best I have ever tried. 5 STARE recommended.
I’ve been following quite a few recipes and all have been great. This was tasty but very mild unlike Malaysian cuisine. Rather dry too, so definitely needs more sauce
Super super tasty! So easy. Another winner!
I’ve been sold on Nagi’s recipes since trying her phenomenal Laksa. We gave this one a try last night and it was great. Very mild flavours, but delicious all the same. I might try double or triple the sambal olek next time to add a bit of a kick. I have a feeling we’re going to end up going through Nagi’s entire recipe catalog at this rate.
Wow. Used Sriracha and added diced thai chilis for color and a bit more heat. I do believe this completes my Nagi recipe noodle tour and every single dish has been outstanding.
I’m so glad I found this website! My son loves Mie Goreng instant noodles. I refuse to buy them as the sachets aren’t healthy to eat frequently and many brands have noodles made from uncertified Palm Oil. This recipe is healthy and I can buy the brands of noodles that are orangutan friendly. It is so tasty the whole family wants to eat it. Win win!!
Yes, look no further, this is the one you want.
Wahoo! Thanks Jim! N x
Nagi! How does being so awesome, all the time, feel?! You, your recipes and Dozer are all pure gold!
Oh shucks!! 🥰 Thanks so much Aarti! N x
Thank you for this recipe!..in fact..all your recipes. My family always loves them.
Delicious and easy.