Mie Goreng (Indonesian Stir-Fried Noodles)

Mie goreng is Indonesia’s much-loved stir-fried noodle dish, recognisable for its glossy soy coating, savoury aromatics and quick wok-cooked finish. Egg noodles are tossed with shallot, garlic and cabbage, then enriched with prawns and softly scrambled egg for a meal that feels generous without being heavy. The dark soy sauce gives the noodles colour and depth, while lime juice cuts through the sweetness and keeps the dish lively. Best served straight from the wok, it suits fast dinners and can be easily adapted with different vegetables or proteins.
Cuisine style Indonesian noodle stir-fry
Cooking style Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 30 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Fast wok cooking: The vegetables, prawns, egg and noodles cook in quick stages, making the dish practical for a weeknight meal.
  • Savoury-sweet depth: Shallots, garlic and dark soy sauce build a glossy, umami-rich coating for the noodles.
  • Balanced texture: Tender noodles, juicy prawns, crisp cabbage and soft egg give the stir-fry more interest than a simple noodle toss.

Get the most out of this recipe

Texture tips

  • Keep the noodles firm: Boil the noodles until just tender, then rinse briefly and drain well so they do not turn soft in the wok.
  • Cook prawns gently: Stir-fry the prawns only until pink and just cooked through; overcooking will make them firm and dry.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose egg noodles: Egg noodles give mie goreng its familiar springy texture and hold up well to high-heat stir-frying.
  • Finish with lime: Add the lime juice at the end so its brightness cuts through the soy-coated noodles without cooking away.

Common mistakes

  • Starting before prep is done: Slice the vegetables and prepare the prawns before heating the wok, as the stir-fry moves quickly once cooking begins.
  • Overloading the wok: If your wok or frying pan is small, cook in batches so the ingredients stir-fry rather than steam.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prep before cooking: The shallots, garlic, cabbage and spring onions can be sliced in advance and kept chilled until ready to stir-fry.
  • Reheat in a hot pan: Warm leftovers in a wok or large frying pan with a small splash of water until piping hot throughout.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cook the noodles until just tender, then drain well in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop them overcooking. Toss with a small splash of the oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Thinly slice the shallots, finely slice the cabbage, and slice the spring onions. Finely chop the garlic. Cut the lime in half.
  3. Heat the remaining oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the cabbage and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to soften but still has bite.
  4. Add the prawns and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Push everything to one side of the wok, add the eggs to the empty space and scramble until softly set. Stir to combine.
  5. Add the drained noodles and dark soy sauce, then stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are evenly coated and piping hot. Squeeze in the lime juice and toss again. Serve straight away topped with the spring onions.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the noodles slightly undercooked when boiling so they finish cooking in the wok without turning soft.
  • Have all the vegetables sliced before you start stir-frying, as the cooking goes quickly once the wok is hot.
  • If serving to anyone who should avoid undercooked eggs, cook the scrambled egg until fully set.

Substitutions

  • Replace prawns with salmon, cut into bite-sized pieces, and stir-fry until just cooked through.
  • Replace green cabbage with bok choy for a softer, juicier vegetable base.
  • Replace dark soy sauce with light soy sauce for a saltier, less sweet finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a hot wok or frying pan with a small splash of water until piping hot throughout.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 25min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Indonesian
  • Allergens:
    Crustaceans Eggs Gluten Wheat
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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