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SINGAPORE NOODLES RECIPE
This Singapore Noodles recipe is easy to make at home with just a few helpful tips and tricks. In the sections below I’ve detailed how to choose the correct rice noodles, what pan to use, what curry powder to use etc., but first let me introduce you to the spectacular recipe. It is one of my favorites of all time due to the chewy noodles, crunchy veggies, plump shrimp and of course the curry flavor and the sensational sauce.
What are Singapore Noodles?
The name “Singapore Noodles” is somewhat of a misnomer as Singapore Noodles aren’t actually from Singapore and are virtually unknown there. Instead, Singapore Noodles are actually from Hong Kong! No one is quite certain how these popular noodles came to be known for a city more than 1500 miles away, but some speculate that a Cantonese chef was inspired by Hokkien Mee, a Singapore stir-fried rice vermicelli noodle dish minus the curry powder, and thus named his creation after his inspiration. What makes Singapore noodles authentic to Hong Kong is the dominant curry flavor. You might not associate yellow curry powder with China, but it was introduced to Hong Kong when under British rule and has influenced many more modern culinary inventions – such as Singapore Noodles.
Why You’ll Love Singapore Noodles
RESTAURANT delicious: layers of complex flavor with layers of satisfying texture. The Singapore Noodles are bursting with sweet-savory curry powder, aromatic garlic, ginger and onions along with a tantalizing sauce of chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, etc. for a savory, addictive sauce that envelops every nook and cranny of the fresh stir-fried noodles and veggies. QUICK and easy: soak your noodles, chop your veggies, whisk your sauce together and cook! Pantry friendly: you can find curry powder and all the ingredients at any grocery store which means you can keep them stocked and make these Singapore Rice Noodles any time! Versatile: swap the shrimp for chicken, pork or beef, use whatever veggies you have on hand and add more or less heat. Customizable heat: this Singapore Noodles recipe uses regular curry powder instead of Madras curry powder so it is family friendly. You can customize the heat by omitting the jalapeno or adding cayenne pepper or chili sauce to taste. Less expensive: serve the whole family for the price of dining out! Prep ahead: whisk your sauce, chop your veggies and soak your noodles ahead of time then you’re just a quick stir-fry to dinner. One skillet: aside from then noodles, the eggs, shrimp, veggies, and sauce all cook in one skillet which means hardly any cleanup! Meal-in-one: protein, veggies and noodles made in one skillet for the complete meal-in-one! Great leftovers: the rice vermicelli reheat beautifully for fantastic leftovers!
About SINGAPORE RICE NOODLES
This Singapore Noodles recipe might seem more laborious than most stir-fry recipes because the ingredients are added to the pan in stages (the egg and shrimp cook separately, and then the veggies), but the actual cook time is less than 15 minutes from start to finish. As with all stir fries, the prep work takes more time than the actual cooking – but is SO worth every second! In addition, all the prep can be done ahead of time which makes this a great recipe for weeknights or for entertaining. This Singapore Noodles recipe starts by soaking the rice noodles in hot water to soften them up. You can do this while you’re chopping the rest of your ingredients and whisking some pantry friendly ingredients together to create your hypnotic sauce. Most versions of Singapore noodles include a protein, so I went with signature shrimp then tossed it with curry powder, fish sauce and a pinch of sugar so the juicy morsels are stand-alone delectable (not seen in other recipes) and brown nicely in the sizzling skillet. Once the shrimp are golden, we set them aside and build our flavors in the same pan by sautéing our onions, jalapeno and curry powder, stir-frying the veggies, then adding the sauce to simmer. Stir in the chopped egg, shrimp and noodles, toss to coat then dig in to the unabashedly flavorful, texture-packed noodles!
What you’ll need for Singapore Noodles
What type of noodles are in Singapore noodles?
The foundation of Singapore Noodles is rice vermicelli, known in Asian as Hokkien 米粉 (bí-hún, literally “rice vermicelli”). The rice vermicelli are a very thin form of rice noodles, like linguine, sometimes simply referred to as rice noodles, thin rice noodles or rice sticks. They are made out of rice flour and water, and occasionally small amounts of tapioca or cornstarch as well. This means they are gluten-free, fat free, and vegan. Rice vermicelli are one of my favorite noodles to use because they maintain their perfectly al dente texture for days, if not overcooked initially, making them perfect leftovers. They are delightfully chewy, light, springy and absorb a ton of flavor while still remaining al dente. I also use them in my Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (an all-time readers favorite) so don’t worry about purchasing a large package because they will get used up!
WHERE CAN I BUY RICE VERMICCILI?
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT NOODLE?
You should be able to pick up rice vermicelli at your grocery store, but if you need to make Singapore Noodles, NOW (I get you), then the next best thing is linguine. Linguine is similar in size but doesn’t offer that delightful chewy texture and is prone to overcooking because it is so thin – so make sure you cook the pasta al dente as it will continue to cook when combined with the rest of the ingredients.
HOW DO I COOK RICE VERMICELLI?
Rice Vermicelli is so thin that it doesn’t need – and shouldn’t – be boiled. Instead, add the noodles to a bowl and cover with very hot water (microwaved or boiled). The soaking duration will depend on just how hot your water is, so I suggest checking the noodles at the early end of the soaking window suggested by your package instructions, for me that was 10 minutes. You want the noodles to be pliable but on the firmer side of al dente because they will continue to cook a little when combined with the sauce. Take care to rinse and drain the noodles in cold water so they don’t continue to cook. You can use a colander or spin them dry in a salad spinner. If you aren’t ready to use them immediately. toss them with a teaspoon of sesame oil to keep them from sticking together.
For The Sauce:
The sauce for Singapore Noodles is a chicken broth-based sauce that’s irresistible savory and salty with a balancing sweetness. The ingredient list might look long, but it is made with a quick whisking of pantry staples for anyone who does much Asian cooking. If you don’t own any of the following ingredients, I promise you will get a TON of use out of them if you make any of my other Asian recipes. Here’s what you’ll need:
What Curry Powder Should I use?
For this Singapore Noodles recipe, we are going to use yellow curry powder and NOT Madras curry powder. Madras curry powder is often used in Singapore Rice Noodles and is MUCH hotter than traditional curry powder because it contains a higher percentage of ground red chilies. I prefer using milder curry powder so we get more of a rounded flavor by being able to use more curry powder then adding a jalapeno to spice things up. If you still want spicier noodles when all is said and done, then add some cayenne pepper or Asian chili paste. You can find yellow curry powder in the spices section of your grocery store. It will probably just be labeled “curry powder” instead of yellow curry powder. The amazing thing about curry powder and curry pastes, is they are a combination of many ingredients that result in delightfully complex flavors – but all the work has been done for you! Curry powder typically contains:
Ground turmeric Ground coriander seeds ground cumin seeds ground galangal ground fennel seeds ground mustard seeds ground peppercorns ground cloves chili powder
WHAT VEGETABLES DO YOU ADD TO SINGAPORE NOODLES?
Singapore Noodles boast a delightful crunch due to the vibrant veggies. I stuck with my favorites of:
Bell pepper: red bell peppers are used in every Singapore Rice Noodles recipe I’ve ever devoured or researched. They are sweeter than other colors of peppers but you may substitute with whatever color you have on hand. Snow peas: trim the very ends off of your snow peas (not to be confused with snap peas which require longer cooking time) to eliminate the woody texture, then julienne them – meaning slice them lengthwise to create thin, long strips. If you have never julienned snow peas before – they are amazing! I use them in my Chinese Chicken Salad recipe among others, and they create sensational crunch which is much more pleasing (in my opinion) to bean sprouts. When slicing the snow peas, a few peas will fall out, but don’t worry, just add them to the stir fry. Also, take care to not overcook the snow peas – set the time and only stir fry them for as long as directed. It is better for them to be on the crunchy side vs. the mushy side. Carrots: no need to purchase or chop matchstick carrots as we are after more of the sweet carrot flavor than we are the texture. If you do pick up matchstick carrots, you will want to add them with the bell peppers as they take longer to cook than shredded carrots.
CAN I USE OTHER VEGETABLES?
Absolutely! You can mix and match the veggies based on what’s in your fridge, your favorites, what’s in season or what’s on sale, but the important thing to remember is we want plenty of CRUNCH to offset the chewy noodles. To accomplish this, select a few types of veggies and DON’T overcook! Here are other veggies you can try:
Broccoli Cauliflower Zucchini Celery Asparagus Baby corn Edamame Bean sprouts Cabbage (green or red)
WHAT AROMATICS DO I USE FOR SINGAPORE rice NOODLES?
While the veggies are flexible in Singapore Noodles, the aromatics – onions, garlic and ginger – are NON-NEGOTIABLE. They are the quintessential ingredients to any good stir fry and provide the flavor base in which all other flavors are built upon.
Garlic pro tip: purchase the pre-bagged, already peeled garlic to save time. They are actually less expensive than whole garlic cloves (at least when I did the math). Ginger pro tip: I like to freeze ginger so it’s always at my fingertips. To freeze ginger: grate it, spread it by the teaspoon or tablespoon on parchment paper and flash freeze until solid, about 1 hour. Transfer to an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 6 months. You can add frozen ginger directly to your Singapore Style Noodles. Onion pro tip: invest in an onion chopper – it’s a culinary game changer! I use mine almost every day (because I cry whenever I cut onions otherwise) which allows me to chop onions in 60 seconds with ZERO tears!
What Shrimp Should I use?
I suggest uncooked shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined. Buying prepared shrimp makes your job a snap because all you have to do is defrost the shrimp. I like to use medium shrimp, 31-40 count shrimp (which means there are 31-40 shrimp in a pound), so you get shrimp in every bite without having to pause to cut up the shrimp. If you only have larger shrimp on hand, that will work as well, you will just have to cut as you go.
HOW TO DEFROST SHRIMP
I typically keep frozen shrimp stocked then simply defrost it before using in any recipes. This way, I can make these Singapore Noodles without running to the grocery store. There are two options for defrosting your shrimp:
Easy Defrost: The easiest way to defrost your shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Simply remove 12 ounces frozen shrimp to a covered bowl and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Quick Defrost: Place the frozen shrimp in a colander then place the colander in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cold tap water and let it sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, replace the water with new cold tap water and submerge the shrimp again. Let shrimp sit an additional 10- 20 minutes. If the shrimp aren’t completely defrosted, then repeat.
How to Make Singapore Style Rice Noodles
Our Singapore Noodles recipe is very simple to make but the veggies require some chopping and the noodles take some time to soak. If you’re multi-task and prep your ingredients while your noodles are soaking, then everything can come together super quickly when it’s “go time.” Here’s the breakdown:
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY SHRIMP IS DONE COOKING?
Color: Raw shrimp starts off translucent gray and as it cooks, it turns pink and opaque with some pink and bright red accents. You will want to remove the shrimp from the skillet as soon as it is fully opaque without any gray left. Look at the crevice in the back of the shrimp where the vein was removed. When the base of this crevice becomes opaque, the shrimp is done. Shape: You can also check the shape of your shrimp but this is not as good of an indicator as color. As shrimp cook, their muscle contract which cause them to curl. As soon as the shrimp begin to curl, they are usually done cooking. Some claim that perfectly cooked shrimp have “C” shape while over cooked shrimp have an “O” shape. I think you’ll find that almost all shrimp, maybe with the exception of jumbo shrimp, still have an “O” shape without being overcooked.
Prep Singapore Rice Noodles Ahead of Time
You can prep all of the ingredients ahead of time so these Singapore Style Noodles can literally come together in minutes:
Noodles: Soak the noodles, rinse and drain, then toss with a drizzle of sesame oil. Store in an airtight container/plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. Sauce: Whisk the sauce ingredients together and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let the sauce sit at room temperature while preparing the stir-fry; whisk again before using. Veggies: Chop the veggies, garlic and ginger and store in separate baggies/containers in the refrigerator. Eggs: Cook and chop the eggs and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Within the next 48 hours, proceed with the recipe as outlined.
Singapore Noodle Recipe Tips
Here’s a recap of the best tips and tricks to ensure you the best Singapore Noodles every time:
Prep. Like all stir-fries, these Singapore Rice Noodles come together very quickly once you start cooking, so you will want all of the vegetables chopped and the sauce whisked together before you start cooking. Customize. Feel to customize the veggie and use your favorites. Use a nonstick pan. A large nonstick skillet pan is ideal so you can make the entire dish in one pan from eggs to shrimp to stir fry. Don’t overcrowd shrimp. Wait until the pan is nice and hot then spread the shrimp out into an even layer so they will sear and not just steam. Don’t over-cook shrimp. Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp. Cook shrimp with tails on. I recommend cooking your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor. Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire. Don’t overcook noodles. I recommend testing your noodles 2 minutes before the package recommends because we want them to be pliable but on the firmer side of al dente because they will continue to cook in the sauce. Stop noodles from cooking. If your noodles are done before your stir fry is ready to receive them, rinse them in cool water to prevent them from continuing to cook. Don’t worry about the pasta being cold because the sauce will warm it right up once combined. Prevent noodles from clumping. If you’re not using the noodles right away, toss them with a little sesame oil to prevent them from sticking together. Dry vegetables. It is important that the vegetables are very dry or they will steam and not get the characteristic stir-fry texture. To dry vegetables, pat them thoroughly with a kitchen towel or use a salad spinner. Don’t overcook veggies. I suggest actually setting the timer when you stir fry the vegetables – the time can go fast and you don’t want to overcook them initially because they will continue to simmer in the sauce.
SHOULD I COOK SHRIMP WITH TAIL ON OR OFF?
Cook your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor, much like cooking meat on the bone. Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire.
Singapore Noodle Variations
In addition to swapping the protein or the vegetables, these Singapore Noodles can also be customized as far as the flavor – make them spicier, less spicy, sweet or savorier, more or less tangy:
Want sweeter noodles? Add more brown sugar Want saltier noodles? Add more fish sauce, soy sauce or more salt Want tangier noodles? Add more rice wine vinegar or a splash of lime juice Want spicier noodles? Add the seeds from the jalapeno, cayenne powder or Asian chili sauce Want thinner noodles? Add chicken broth Want more crunch? Add cashews, peanuts, or water chestnuts
Can I use chicken instead of shrimp?
Yes! You can swap the shrimp for bite-size pieces of chicken thighs (recommended for juicier chicken) or chicken breasts. If you choose to use chicken breasts, I suggest using my velveting technique to make them melt-in-your-mouth tender. Chopped up bite-sized pieces of pork tenderloin or steak would also be delicious.
Can I Add Char Siu?
Singapore Noodles almost always include shrimp and they often include Char Siu which is sweet barbecued pork. I omitted the pork from this recipe because I didn’t find it necessary with everything going on, but you can certainly add it if you wish. Char Siu can sometime be found at your grocery store or you can make yourself. Alternatively, you can substitute it with diced bacon, or salty ham or pork. If you add Char Siu, then omit the salt from the recipe.
WHAT ELSE CAN I ADD TO SINGAPORE style NOODLES?
Singapore Noodles don’t have to be limited to just protein and veggies. You can also add:
Nuts: peanuts or cashews add a deeply satisfying crunch. Take care to purchase raw, unsalted nuts. To elevate your cashews or peanuts, dry roast them in a nonstick skillet until toasted- YUM! Water chestnuts: also add a tantalizing crunch. Water chestnuts are easy to find in a can so you can keep them stocked and ready to go. Sesame seeds: add the nutty sesame flavor. Take care to use toasted sesame seeds or toast them yourself.
CAN I MAKE THIS VEGETARIAN SINGAPORE NOODLES?
Absolutely! Swap the shrimp with firm tofu or omit it altogether; swap the chicken broth with low-sodium vegetable broth. Instead of oyster sauce, look for oyster flavored sauce which is imitation.
Serving Suggestions for Singapore Style Rice Noodles
Singapore Noodles are a meal-in-one complete with protein, veggies and starch, so they really don’t need much – if anything – to flush out the meal. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t still delicious with:
Appetizers: transform Singapore Noodles into a feast complete with appetizer such as Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Pineapple Cream Cheese Wontons, Crab Rangoons, Chicken Satay, Pork Egg Rolls, Sesame Chicken Egg Rolls, Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls or Chinese Chicken Wings. It is also delicious with potstickers, even though they are technically Japanese and not Chinese. Soup: Let the Chinese feast continue with soup! I love to warm up to Egg Drop Soup which is SUPER easy and always silky, satisfying favorite. Salad: the stir-fried noodles is packed with veggies, so a salad isn’t really necessary, but still delicious. Some of our favorite Asian inspired salads include Crunchy Asian Salad, Chinese Salad, and Asian Pineapple Salad. Fruit: fresh fruit such as chopped pineapple is always an easy, welcome sweet stir fry side. Grilled Pineapple, Summer Fruit Salad, Perfect Fruit Salad, Creamy Grape Salad, and Pina Colada Fruit Salad are also fantastic.
Singapore Noodle storage
Singapore Rice Noodles should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When properly stored, they are good for up to four days.
To Reheat
This Singapore Noodles recipe reheats well so you can enjoy leftovers for days! Just take care to cook the noodles al dente initially.
Microwave: Transfer servings to a microwave-safe plate and cookfor one minute, stir, then continue to heat at 30 second intervals until warmedthrough. Stove: For larger portions, reheat noodles gently over medium-lowheat in a large skillet until warmed through.
CAN I FREEZE SINGAPORE NOODLES RECIPE?
No, Singapore Noodles should not be frozen because rice vermicelli does not freeze well and will disintegrate when thawed.
Looking for more Asian Takeout Favorites?
Sweet and Sour Chicken Orange Chicken Sesame Chicken Szechuan Chicken or Szechuan Beef General Tso’s Chicken Hoisin Chicken Stir Fry
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