Enjoy the South-East Asian street food vibes in this stir-fry with juicy prawns (shrimp) and crispy pork belly – on the table in 20 minutes!
You know that feeling after a big week? You’re tired and want to “reward” yourself with something delicious – and it would be soooo easy to order takeout. But there’s no need when you can make this incredible noodle dish with all its delicious South-East Asian street food vibes in only 20 minutes! After changing into comfy slippers and pyjamas, it’s really no hassle to cook this for my family. It’s simple, I know exactly what’s going into it and there is none of that “post-takeout slump”. This is fast, but it’s fresh!
Deliciousness on the table in just 20 minutes. This stir-fry gives your favourite takeout noodles a run for their money … minimal effort, maximum flavour!
After I first made this recipe, I ended up cooking it MULTIPLE times over the past couple of weeks … it’s irresistible! It is perfect for a cosy Friday night in, snuggled up on the couch, glass of wine in (very) easy reach. As a family we love to TV-dinner it up on Friday, watching our favourite show as we munch our way through this delicious dish … one of the kids falling behind, valiantly insisting they can use chopsticks! It really is the best way to end a long week.
You have to try this one-pan Malaysian-inspired Hokkien Mee. It’s an incredible combo of crispy fried pork belly, juicy prawns (shrimp) and noodles, but it’s also loaded with veggies (which tend to disappear into the luscious sauce, so it’s super kid-friendly). If you prepped the veggies earlier in the week, this becomes a 10-minute wonder!
Not into pork or prawns (shrimp)? No problem, just swap for other meats, such as boneless, skinless chicken thighs or sliced rump (sirloin) steak.
Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes! You can use any noodles of choice, but just make sure you prepare them as per the packet instructions. If using dried noodles, cook them for a few minutes less than the packet suggests – cook them until they are just pliable. They will finish cooking in the stir-fry and this will stop them going mushy. Try hokkien noodles, ramen noodles, egg noodles or even thick rice noodles.
If Past You prepped the veggies ahead of time, this becomes a 10-minute, one-pan wonder! The sauce keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, so make a big batch.
Can I use a different type of meat if I don’t eat pork or prawns (shrimp)?
You can swap the pork or prawns for a different type of meat, such as boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or beef rump (sirloin) steak. Or add 300 g (10½ oz) of firm tofu that has been fried for 2–3 minutes on each side – cook this first, then set aside and add to the pan with the noodles in step 5.
What other vegetables can I add?
You can add any other veggies that don’t require precooking, e.g. spring onion (scallion), green capsicum (bell pepper), broccoli, broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), zucchini (courgette), bok choy or snow peas (mangetout).
Fast and fresh, this stir-fry is packed with veggies … but they melt into the delicious sauce so no complaints from fussy little eaters!
Watch how to make Malaysian-inspired Hokkien Mee
If you enjoyed Malaysian-inspired Hokkien Mee, I think you’ll love:
Packed with crispy pork belly, juicy prawns (shrimp) and udon noodles in a deliciously rich sauce, this 20-minute Malaysian-inspired Hokkien Mee recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep 10 minutesmins
Cook 10 minutesmins
Total 20 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
SAUCE
2tbspdark soy sauce
2tbsplight soy sauce
2tbspoyster sauce
1tbspbrown sugar
1tbspcornflour (cornstarch)
2tbspwater
1tspsesame seeds
STIR-FRY
2tbspneutral oil (see note 1) or extra-virgin olive oil
250g(9oz)prawns (shrimp), peeled and deveined (tails intact if preferred)
600g(1¼lb)fresh udon noodles, prepared as per packet instructions (see note 2 for preparation and subs)
225g(3cups)shredded wombok (napa) cabbage
1bunchChinese broccoli (gai lan), roughly chopped
Instructions
(keeps your screen active)
Make the sauce – Whisk all the ingredients together in a jug. Set aside.
Cook the pork – Heat the oil in a large, deep, heavy-based pan over high heat. Add the pork and cook for 4–5 minutes, tossing, until crisp and brown all over (be careful as the fat from the pork can spit!).
Add the prawns – Add the prawns and toss for another 30 seconds until they are almost cooked through, followed immediately by the garlic. Cook, tossing, for a further 30 seconds.
Add the veggies – Add the wombok and Chinese broccoli. Toss for 1 minute or until the vegetables start to wilt.
Add the noodles and sauce – Add the udon noodles and sauce. Toss using tongs until well combined and everything is coated in the sauce.
Serve – Divide among four bowls and serve immediately.
Nutrition information
Nutrition Facts
Malaysian-inspired Hokkien Mee
Amount per Serving
Calories
754
% Daily Value*
Fat
46
g
71
%
Saturated Fat
14
g
88
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
23
g
Cholesterol
124
mg
41
%
Sodium
2948
mg
128
%
Potassium
926
mg
26
%
Carbohydrates
59
g
20
%
Fiber
7
g
29
%
Sugar
13
g
14
%
Protein
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
9681
IU
194
%
Vitamin C
111
mg
135
%
Calcium
323
mg
32
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Note 1 – Neutral-flavoured oils include canola (rapeseed), vegetable oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed or rice bran oil.Note 2 – Some fresh udon noodles can be tossed directly into the stir-fry (as I have done), others need to be blanched first in boiling water – check the packet for directions. You can use any noodles of choice, just make sure you prepare them as per the packet instructions. If using dried noodles, cook them for a few minutes less than the packet directs – cook them until they are just pliable. They will finish cooking in the stir-fry and this will stop them going mushy. Try hokkien noodles, ramen noodles, egg noodles or even thick rice noodles.
Make ahead
Sauce – You can prep the sauce in advance and store it in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It’s perfect to double or triple the amount so next time all you have to do is throw everything in the pan and go.Vegetables – You can also prep the veggies ahead of time. Slice the wombok (napa) cabbage and chop the Chinese broccoli (gai lan) up to 2 days in advance and store them in separate containers in the fridge. Check out my tips for fruit and veg storage here.
Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a hot pan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. The noodles will soak up a bit of the sauce as they sit, but they’ll still be super tasty – and perfect for lunch the next day!
Hi Nicole, I’ve got this on the list to cook tomorrow. I’m just wondering though, where did you get this pot? Looks like a good quality, deep cast iron one. Thanks!
Hi Amy, this is my incredible Staub Chistera, I use it several times a day and it will last me a lifetime. Check out my full story on my favourite equipment if you’d like to find out more. And I also just uploaded a story about cleaning cast-iron. Nic x
Hi Uki, if you don’t want to use pork, you could swap it for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or beef rump (sirloin) steak. Or, if you are vegetarian, you could add 300 g (101/2 oz) of firm tofu that has been fried for 2–3 minutes on each side – cook this first, then set aside and add to the pan with the noodles in step 5. Does this help? Nic x
Hi Yaseera, you can swap the pork for beef and cook for the same amount of time (or just a tad less if you prefer). You can leave all the other ingredients as is … a lot of salty flavour comes from the sauce, and there is already garlic in the stir-fry. I hope this helps. Nic x
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.
Tamara says:
I didn’t add the pork belly (budget) and didn’t have dark soy sauce and it was still so good! Quick and super easy, will be making again!
Nicole says:
Hi Tamara, so happy this still worked out for you with what you had on hand! Thanks also for the rating. ❤️ Nic x
Amy says:
Hi Nicole, I’ve got this on the list to cook tomorrow. I’m just wondering though, where did you get this pot? Looks like a good quality, deep cast iron one. Thanks!
Nicole says:
Hi Amy, this is my incredible Staub Chistera, I use it several times a day and it will last me a lifetime. Check out my full story on my favourite equipment if you’d like to find out more. And I also just uploaded a story about cleaning cast-iron. Nic x
Lauren says:
So quick and easy! Absolutely delicious! Will have to make a double batch next time as everyone wanted seconds 🙂
Nicole says:
Wonderful to hear, Lauren! Thanks for the rating, Nic x
Emma says:
This was great, I used tofu and everyone liked it.
Nicole says:
Hi Emma, so glad you enjoyed this with the tofu. Thanks for the rating, Nic x
Uki says:
Hi Nicole,
Do you think it will taste the same leaving out the pork?
Nicole says:
Hi Uki, if you don’t want to use pork, you could swap it for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or beef rump (sirloin) steak. Or, if you are vegetarian, you could add 300 g (101/2 oz) of firm tofu that has been fried for 2–3 minutes on each side – cook this first, then set aside and add to the pan with the noodles in step 5. Does this help? Nic x
yaseera says:
Hi Nicole if i do use the beef how long would you suggest i cook the strips for and what should i cook it in. garlic salt pepper ?
Nicole says:
Hi Yaseera, you can swap the pork for beef and cook for the same amount of time (or just a tad less if you prefer). You can leave all the other ingredients as is … a lot of salty flavour comes from the sauce, and there is already garlic in the stir-fry. I hope this helps. Nic x
Jane Campbell says:
Beautiful. Luscious noodles and lovely balanced sauce. Prawns and pork a delicious combo. 😋😋
Nicole says:
So happy you enjoyed this, Jane! Thanks for the rating, too! Nic x
Jill says:
Amazing flavour, such a quick and easy mid-week meal!
Nicole says:
Wonderful to hear, Jill! Thanks also for the rating. Nic x
Jo says:
Can I ask what brand of noodle? Not having the right noodle can make a big difference to me
Nicole says:
Hi Jo, I have used Obento in the video here, but I also use Wokka brand – both are equally delicious. Nic x