First recipe of the year! And what more appropriate (for the noodle monster in me) than a plate of sexy noodles simply tossed with some umami pork gravy, freshened up by spring onions and pickled green chili? That’s right, I’m talking about Hakka Mee. It’s Negeri Sembilan month for Malaysian Food Fest. If you would like to learn more about Negeri Sembilan and its delicious offerings, check out Hody’s very informative post.
Seremban is the capital of Negeri Sembilan, where Hakka Mee is said to have originated from. Even though I’ve never been there, I’ve had some pretty good Hakka Mee around KL. I’ve always preferred flat noodles to round so this is right up my alley. What’s the difference between the Teochew’s Bak Chor Mee (Mee Pok) and Hakka Mee, one might wonder. They both feature flat noodles and mince pork, but the main difference is in the seasoning: Hakka Mee is flavoured with fish sauce (clear) and garlic oil while Bak Chor Mee with black vinegar and soy sauce (dark) and pork lard (oil). Although in places out of Seremban, the sellers might stray slightly from the original recipe. Like Toast & Roast.
Hakka Mee from Toast & Roast, see those brown bits? Crispy Pork Lard!
According to Baby Sumo, authentic Hakka Mee in Seremban goes without Pork Lard. In her recipe (and a few others) the oil was simply flavoured with garlic and mixed in a bit of sesame oil for that extra fragrance. Since I still have plenty of Mee Pok left, I decided to use them since they are almost the same except Mee Pok is slightly broader and perhaps just a little smoother in texture. I added some mushrooms too. Of course, this is MSG-free.
Homemade Hakka Mee: the healthier option.
For Pickled Green Chili Recipe, click here.
Recipe Adapted from Baby Sumo
2 pieces Flat noodles (You could use the Cintan brand, available in most local supermarkets)
2-3 pieces of Shitake Mushrooms, rehydrated and chopped
100g Minced pork
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp chicken stock seasoning
Enough water for the mince pork gravy (about 150ml)
A few drops of Sesame oil
Pickled Green Chillies
1-2 spring onion, finely chopped
1. Bring a pot of water to the boil, add a few drops of sesame oil, and cook the noodles for 3 minutes,or until al dente. Drain and divide into two bowls.
2. In a large wok, heat the oil (both types) over medium high heat. Add garlic to fry for a minute or so until aromatic. Add the minced pork and mushrooms to fry for 2 minutes, then add water, fish sauce, chicken stock seasoning and light soy sauce and allow to simmer over low heat for 8-10 minutes. Add a little more water if it’s starting to dry up.
3. To serve, top the noodles with the minced pork with gravy, and some spring onions. Serve immediately with pickled green chillies.
Just look at those glossy noodle strands, coated with pork gravy….. heavenly!
It’s amazing how such a simple noodles dish can taste so good. And contrary to what you might believe, it’s totally not bland at all. I generally like a lot of dark sauce on my noodles but this was equally as satisfying. Lighter, perhaps, considering the lack of Pork lard, but definitely no compromise on taste! To ‘upgrade’ this dish, you can also add some Char Siew and Bean Sprouts. Mmm. I want to eat this for the rest of the week.
I am submitting this post to Malaysia Food Fest, Negeri Sembilan month hosted by Hody of Cook 4 you & me.
If kampua, it’s the lard that gives it the fragrance. That is why the Malay stalls can never make good kampua. Probably the same in this case – must use lard. Tried Hakka mee in Seremban (above the market) – did not turn me on…but I had that at one place right here in Sibu and I liked it a lot. To each his own, I guess…
Yeap, I’ve made Kampua with lard, and the Mee (Bak Chor Mee) as well with lard. It’s a different kind of aroma in Hakka Mee, and it’s not at all inferior I feel, just different. The one that I tried in PJ use lard though that’s why it reminded me a lot of Kampua.
interesting… we can rarely find these in Penang, thanks for sharing
It’s from Seremban. I think in Ipoh there’s another type of Hakka Noodles. I’ve never heard of this until I moved to KL.
Hi Kelly, thanks for trying this recipe. I think the brown bits in T&R’s Hakka mee is deep fried fish skin.
Really? I thought it was pork lard because of the taste, and the shape…. Didn’t taste like fish hmmm…. Ought to go back and try again. Anyway thanks for the recipe!
I’m familiar with bak chor mee, but not hakka mee, and from your photos and description it sounds absolutely delish. Happy New Year!
All the regional variations are great isn’t it? We’ll never be bored with our noodles!
Happy New Year Kelly! I hope 2013 is a wonderful year for you. I can imagine that it’s a great start with these noodles
Hehe noodles signifies longevity too which is perfect!
Ohhhhhhhhh crispy pork lard in noodles *dies happily*
Haha then you must love KL Hokkien mee! Fried with Plenty of crispy pork lard!
Happy New Year Kelly!! This looks so tasty! Love all the flavour that mixed together, perfect for a cold winter’s day
Or a rainy day for Malaysia!
I was wonder before, thanks for sharing the difference between bak chor mee and hakka mee.
No worries! They are both yummy in their own ways!
Hi Kelly, Thanks for sharing this Hakka mee recipe. Looks very delicious! Love to try them one day
Thank you for coming to my site and your compliment.
Very easy to make with ingredients that are easy to find! Thanks for dropping by too.
Hi Kelly,
Silly me that I can’t differentiate any differences in bar chor mee and Hakka mee. Now after reading your post, I prefer your healthier homemade version of Hakka mee. Yum!
Zoe
They are in fact really similar, I think Hakka mee reigns in its simplicity and just let the lovely porky flavour comes through.
yum!! I like the Seremban hakka mee too cos the flavors are very comforting and simple… allowing the ingredients to shine. Never thought to add mushrooms.. I ll keep that in mind.
I make my mother-in-law version of Hakka mee with salted fish in the minced meat filling and also dressed them in simple garlic oil and spring onions. See this post makes me wanna go make some soon… havent had it in a while…
Oh salt fish, that would eliminate the need for fish sauce I should think. I like adding vegetables in my food, hehe.
Hi Kelly, yours look so good. Now I feel like having another large bowl!!
Hahahaha the danger of simple and delicious food!
I love those crispy pork lards!! Most dishes would taste different with and without it..
Definitely, though it’s also quite sinful hahaha.
Looks super yum
And even though pork lard looks sinful but super delicious ~
True, but this pork gravy is sufficiently tasty I don’t feel it’s lacking anything…. Especially for home cooking anyway.
Mmmmm love Hakka mee! Love it more if there’s pork lard!
Hehehe sinful pleasure!
Mmmm looks really simple and delicious, got to try it out soon!
Yes try it soon!
Thanks for dropping by!