Penang Char Hor Fun

There is a saying or myth in Penang about Char Hor Fun (炒河粉)–one that is only Penang’s I am sure–if you are a bachelor and would like to win the heart of your girlfriend, you would seek out the best Char Hor Fun in town and make sure you take your girlfriend there, if possible, frequently.

And if you wanted to win the hearts of your future parents-in-laws, you would be smart enough to “ta pau” (take out) for them, too.

When I was little, my sisters’ boyfriends (now my brothers-in-law) would religiously pack Char Hor Fun for my parents. Being the youngest in the family, my parents would share the “bribe” with me, and that was how I started my love affair with this delicacy…

Char Hor Fun is traditionally Chinese, but there are many variations to this ubiquitous dish.

When I was attending college in Kuala Lumpur (KL), I found out that the dish is called “Wat Tan Hor” there.

The concept of the dish is the same, but it has a slightly different presentation and eggs are used in the gravy, hence the words “wat tan” which literally means “smooth eggs” in Cantonese…

In Thai cuisine, there is a similar dish called Rad Na and I believe Vietnamese have their own adaptation. The ingredients and toppings might be different but they are all delicious.

Call me biased, but the best ones in my opinion is still Penang Char Hor Fun.

If you are a bachelor, perhaps you might want to try my recipe and make this dish for your girlfriend. And while you are at it, make some extras for your future parents-in-law, too.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe is only 400 calories per serving.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Asam Pedas Fish

Longan Tong Sui

Lotus Root Soup

Ginger and Black Fungus Chicken

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Penang Char Hor Fun

Servings 4 people

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Penang Char Hor Fun (炒河粉) recipe - If you are a bachelor, perhaps you might want to try my recipe and make this dish for your girlfriend. And while you are at it, make some extras for your future parents-in-law, too!

Calories 400 kcal

Author Bee | Rasa Malaysia

Ingredients

• 1/2 pack hor fun or flat rice noodles
• 1/2 pack vermicelli
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon kecap manis

Toppings:

• 12 shrimp peeled and deveined
• 12 pieces pork meat
• 12 bay scallops
• 12 thin pieces of fish cake
• 1/2 can chicken broth
• 5 stalks chinese mustard green/choy sum cut into 2 inch length (5 cm)
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Starch:

• 2 tablespoons corn flour
• 1/4 cup water

Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 dashes white pepper powder
• salt to taste

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Directions

1. 1

   Soak the vermicelli in warm water for 15 minutes, or until soft. Drain the water and set aside.

2. 2
   Break the flat rice noodles off by peeling the layers. Set aside.
3. 3

   Heat up a wok and add 1 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil. Toss in the vermicelli and do a quick stir. Add 1/2 tablespoon of soy souce and 1/2 tablespoon of kecap manis.

4. 4

   Continue to stir the vermicelli until the soy sauce and kecap manis are well blended with the vermicelli. Continue to stir until the vermicelli are lightly burned or charred. Dish up and set aside.

5. 5
   Repeat the same for the flat rice noodles. Dish up and set aside.
6. 6
   Add some oil in a wok and stir-fry the minced garlic until fragrant.
7. 7
   Add in the pork, shrimp, bay scallops, fish cake and do a quick stir.
8. 8
   Add the chicken broth and 1 1/4 cup of water immediately.
9. 9
   Add in all the seasoning and bring it to boil.
10. 10
    Add in the starch mixture to thicken the gravy.
11. 11
    Add in the mustard green, do a quick stir and turn off the heat.
12. 12
    On a plate, place the fried vermicelli and flat rice noodles equally.
13. 13
    Pour the gravy and toppings on the noodles and vermicelli. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Penang Char Hor Fun

Amount Per Serving (4 people)

Calories 400 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 39mg13%

Sodium 1261mg55%

Carbohydrates 59g20%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 11g22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Malaysian Recipes

Cuisine: Noodles

Keyword: Penang Char Hor Fun