Tips and Tricks for Making the Perfect Bami Goreng
A Personal Introduction and Cool Facts About this Indonesian Recipe
Hello foodies! Today, I want to share with you my all-time favorite Indonesian dish – Bami Goreng. This stir-fried noodle dish hails from Indonesia, but it has become a popular comfort food all over the world because of its delicious flavors and versatility. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced cook, this recipe offers some tips and tricks to help you create the perfect bami goreng.
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about some fun facts about this dish. Bami Goreng translate to “fried noodles” in Indonesian and was inspired by Chinese chow mein. This dish is usually made with egg noodles, vegetables, and meat (chicken, beef, or pork – your choice). However, vegetarians and vegans can use tofu or just veggies. Bami Goreng can be found in street food carts, restaurants, and homes across Indonesia. It’s usually served with a side of krupuk (a type of Indonesian crackers) or some prawn crackers.
Ingredients List
- 500g egg noodles
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 cup of cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup of green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 2 teaspoons of sambal oelek (chilli paste)
- 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce (skip this if you’re vegetarian)
- 1/4 cup of chicken stock (use veggie stock if you’re vegetarian)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lime wedges, to serve (optional)
- Cilantro, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the egg noodles in a pot of salted water for 3-4 minutes or until cooked al dente. Drain the water and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Heat up a wok or a large frying pan over high heat. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan.
- When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the julienned carrot, sliced red pepper, shredded cabbage, and trimmed green beans. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Add the cooked egg noodles to the pan and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes or until the noodles are heated through.
- Add the kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), sambal oelek (chilli paste), oyster sauce (skip this if you’re vegetarian), and chicken stock (use veggie stock if you’re vegetarian). Toss everything together until the noodles and vegetables are well-coated in the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with some lime wedges and cilantro garnish. Enjoy!
There you have it! My tips and tricks for making the perfect Bami Goreng. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different vegetables and protein sources to make this dish your own. You can also adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less chilli paste. Bami Goreng is the perfect meal for a cozy night in or a dinner party with friends and family. Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out!