Malaysian Wanton Noodles
- Difficulty: Medium
- Preparation: 30 min
- Cook: 20 min
- Clean up: min
- Steps: 8 steps
- 25 Ingredients
- Difficulty: Medium
- Steps: 8 steps
- 25 Ingredients
- Preparation: 30 min
- Cook: 20 min
- Clean up: min
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Malaysian Wonton Noodles
Savory Noodle Dish with Juicy Wontons
This iconic Cantonese dish is a popular noodle dish in Asia. Made with noodles tossed in a rich sauce, garnished with sumptuous dumplings, and sometimes, succulent char siew, this Malaysian wonton mee recipe will guide you into serving up a mouth-watering dish for all foodies at heart.
Being one of the popular sources of carbohydrate, noodles come in a variety of options. From Japanese udon to silky smooth Kway Teow, different noodles can be used as the base for most dishes. For Wonton Noodles, yellow egg noodles are conventionally used. With its soft, springy texture, it complements the other textures present in a wonton dish. Mee Kia is the go-to choice, but Mee Pok pairs just as well with the sauce and dumplings. Matter of fact, any noodle alternative cooked al dente and remains springy until the very last bite will work. Some even break conventional rules and use Kway Teow or angel hair pasta in the dish.
A plate of wonton noodles is usually served with a bowl of soup. Since the soup is only a side dish, it is vital that the main dish itself contains all the key elements and carries the dish on its own. The noodles aside, the other key element is the sauce. Dark soy sauce is used to give it a thicker consistency and the richness that its lighter, less viscous counterpart lacks in. In this recipe, it is left to boil, caramelizing it, making it darker and sweeter. Adding mushrooms to the sauce gives it a flavor and aroma enhancing twist.
Frequently Asked Questions about Malaysian Wonton Noodles
1. Can I deep-fry the wontons instead of boiling them?
With the right ingredient composition and cooking time, any dumpling, whether deep-fried, boiled, or steamed, will explode with juicy goodness when its skin is bitten into. Just be sure that the wontons are generously filled, and its skin is not too thick to ensure that these crisp treats are evenly cooked.
2. Can the wontons be filled with other ingredients?
Other ingredients, such as crab meat or minced chicken can be used to fill the wontons.
The flavor of the dish is important in making it a delicious one; however, textures also have a strong influence on the delivery of the dish. Adding water chestnuts will give the dumplings a crunchy texture.
3. Is Choy Sum the only vegetable that can be used?
You can definitely use other vegetables! Gai Lan (Chinese broccoli), Bok Choy are other substitutions that can be used to garnish the dish. Any vegetable with crisp leaves attached to a thin, and crisp stalk will complete the meal.
4. Can I refrigerate and reheat the wonton noodles for consumption the next day?
It is recommended that the different components of the dish are stored separately. The cooked noodles can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two. In fact, doing so will remove some of the alkaline taste pronounced in egg noodles. Simply toss them into boiling water for a quick second before serving to warm it up.
Tips & Tricks in Creating a Harmonious Plate of Wonton Noodles
1. Prepare some of the components ahead of time:
2. Fold the wontons in different ways:
3. Keep the noodles springy in texture:
Instructions
1. Preparing pickled green chilies
Combine 1 cup chinese white rice vinegar, ½ tsp salt and 2 tbsp sugar in a bowl and mix well to dissolve.
Taste and adjust salt/sugar if desired.
Place sliced chilies in another bowl and pour boiling water over them.
Let it stand for 30 seconds, and then drain off the water.
Pour the vinegar solution over the chilies, completely covering the chili.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until chilies turn into an olive-green colour.
2. Preparing wonton filling
Mince the prawn meat then combine with pork mince, egg white, 1 tsp grated ginger, 2 tsp soy sauce, ½ tbsp oyster sauce, ½ tsp chicken stock powder, 2 tsp sesame oil, ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp sugar, 1 tsp pepper and mix well.
Place a tsp of the mixture in the middle of each wonton wrapper, and then lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper with water.
| Ensure that there are no air pockets in the dumpling to prevent wontons from unraveling.
3. Fold the wantons
Seal the edges to form a triangle shape then press the edges to thin out the dough.
Bring the corners together and squeeze to form a “money bag”.
Repeat with the rest of the wrappers.
| There are many ways to fold wantons, you can also leave it as a triangle wanton for a simpler style
4. Preparing garlic oil
Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a pan and fry the 4 cloves chopped garlic over low-medium heat until it starts to turn lightly golden in color and crisp. Set aside.
5. Preparing mushroom sauce
Halve the mushrooms. Heat up ½ tbsp vegetable oil in a small saucepan. Fry 2 cloves crushed garlic and mushrooms for 1 minute. Then add 1½ cups water, 1 tsp chicken stock powder, 1½ tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp mushroom flavoured soy , then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil.(optional)
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, then add ½ tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water, and stir until the sauce boils and thickens slightly. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Turn off the heat, cover the saucepan and set aside.
6. Blanch the vegetables
Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add a pinch of salt and sugar. Blanch the choy sum stems, followed by the leaves. Remove, drain and set aside.
7. Cook the wantons
Boil some water in pot and cook the wantons in batches for about 1-2 minutes each. When they float, they are cooked.
Drain and set aside. Alternatively, add them to some prepared chicken broth and garnish with spring onions.
8. Prepare the noodles
In a shallow serving bowl, place 2 tbsp of the seasoning sauce.
With the same boiling water used for blanching the vegetables, bring it to a rolling boil, and cook 1 bundle of noodles for about 30 seconds.
Use a large sieve to drain the noodles and run it under cold running tap water for 5 seconds to wash away excess starch and improve texture, then dip the noodles in the boiling water again just to warm it up.
Garnish and Serve!
Transfer the noodles into the serving bowl and toss them in the seasoning sauce. Add the mushroom sauce and toss again. Add a dash of white pepper. Garnish the noodles with choy sum, wontons and if you’d like, sliced char siu pork. Serve immediately with pickled green chilies by the side, and a bowl of wonton soup.
