Singapore Noodles With Charred Scallions

Updated Sept. 28, 2021

Singapore Noodles With Charred Scallions
Kate Sears for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
4(1,401)
Comments
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While this dish is named for Singapore, it was not created there. Many believe it was invented in Hong Kong, in the 1950s or 1960s, by chefs seeking to add a different flavor profile to Cantonese dishes. It is now a much loved dish at cha chaan tengs, a type of cafe in Hong Kong, and at Cantonese eateries across the world. The original features meat, eggs and vegetables, but this vegetarian version showcases charred scallions, which add sweetness. Peppers are often included, but you could use carrots, cabbage, cauliflower or any thinly sliced vegetable that can be cooked in 3 to 4 minutes. The technique of “blooming” the curry powder in the oil ensures that the vermicelli is silky rather than gritty. Use a curry powder that has turmeric listed as one of the first ingredients, as it lends a lovely golden color to the noodles. (You can add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder to a commercial curry powder if you want to ensure a bright hue.)

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 4eggs, lightly beaten
  • Kosher salt
  • Neutral oil, such as vegetable or grapeseed
  • 1bunch scallions (about 8 to 10)
  • 2bell peppers (any color), cut lengthwise into ¼-inch slices
  • 2garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1tablespoon curry powder
  • 10ounces rice vermicelli, soaked in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes and drained
  • 2tablespoon soy sauce
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

381 calories; 8 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 65 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 12 grams protein; 637 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Season eggs with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and whisk well.

  2. Step 2

    Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or wok over medium-high, and, once hot, swirl the oil around and pour in the egg mixture. Allow the egg to set before pushing the egg to one side and tilting the pan to the opposite side. Cook this way until the egg is just set. Break the egg into large chunks (they’ll break up into smaller pieces on their own), remove from pan and set aside. Wipe out the pan if necessary.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare the scallions by separating the white and green parts. Halve the white sections vertically so they are thinner, then cut into 2-inch segments. Cut the green parts into 2-inch segments.

  4. Step 4

    In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high, add the peppers and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, then add the white parts of the scallions in stages. As the scallions wilt, add more and cook until charred, another 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

  5. Step 5

    Return the skillet to the stovetop, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of oil. Add the curry powder and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and stir vigorously to dissolve the curry powder, about 30 seconds.

  6. Step 6

    Increase heat to medium-high, add the drained vermicelli and ¼ cup of water, and drizzle with another 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil. Using tongs or long wooden chopsticks, toss the noodles well, ensuring that they are well coated in the curry mixture.

  7. Step 7

    Add the soy sauce and toss for 3 to 5 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Add the peppers, scallion whites and egg back to the pan, along with the scallion greens, and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the greens are wilted. Taste and season with more salt, if required.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,401 user ratings
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Comments

You really can't call this 'Singapore' noodles at all. Not even close. Just call it over-cooked vermicelli with browned scallions and egg with a dash of curry and soy. For one---if you cook noodles according to directions here, by the time you finish sauteing for 3-5 minutes in soy sauce (on top of the 10-min water soak)---they will be pure mush. You should blanch them for 45 secs in boiling water then immediately cool in cold water---they then retain their firmness while undergoing the saute.

Yikes people are so dang crabby and judgmental. Who cares about authenticity, it’s a yummy dish, I’ve made it for years, often adding a handful of shrimp. If you don’t want to use the recommended amount of oil, reduce it a bit with no adverse effects on the finished dish.

Please read accompanying article with the recipe before you cook or comment. Not only will it answer your queries, it will help you to become a better cook.

This is my third time messing with this recipe and my favorite so far. - as always I 2xed the recipe. I used two pans at the same time the whole way, except for the quick curry/noodles/etc step at the end, only one pan at a time. -pad Thai noodles instead of vermicelli. more forgiving esp for leftovers -extra veg - greens, maybe julienned carrots, very flexible with whatever -started by sauteeing tofu, adding zhong sauce (but any marinade/sauce would work) and mixed in at the end -2xed curry powder. Burned the powder on my first try because I was moving slow - don’t do that! Also bc I increased it, it was grainy / kind of a punch in the face the first couple days - increase oil, and maybe soy sauce it earlier to blend flavors?

I made this as written. It's pretty easy and tasty, and scratches the itch for Chinese American takeout. You should use a wok if you have one, and Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, because it has lower salinity than Morton's or regular table salt. If you can't use Diamond Crystal, consider halving the salt the recipe calls for, especially if your soy sauce isn't the reduced sodium kind.

Not sure how scallions are supposed to char in just minutes, specially if you're stir-frying them and therefore moving them around.

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