Mei Fun Noodles Recipe: A Flavor-Packed 20-Minute Meal!

Craving a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal? Look no further than Mei Fun noodles! This classic stir-fry, made with thin rice noodles, vibrant vegetables, and savory protein, is a weeknight dinner champion. It’s incredibly versatile, easily customizable to your liking, and guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family. Forget takeout – with this recipe, you can create restaurant-quality Mei Fun in your own kitchen in just 20 minutes!

Why This Recipe Works

This Mei Fun recipe isn’t just about throwing ingredients into a wok. It’s designed for optimal flavor and texture. Here’s why it works:

• Perfectly Cooked Noodles: We’ll guide you through the crucial step of properly preparing the rice noodles, ensuring they’re tender but not mushy.
• Balanced Flavors: The sauce is a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and umami, creating a complex and addictive taste.
• Crisp-Tender Vegetables: We use a high-heat stir-fry technique to cook the vegetables quickly, preserving their vibrant color and satisfying crunch.
• Customizable Protein: Choose your favorite protein – shrimp, chicken, pork, or tofu – to tailor the dish to your preferences.
• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this recipe takes only about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• Rice Noodles (Mei Fun): 8 ounces, thin rice vermicelli noodles
• Protein: 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined), chicken breast (thinly sliced), pork tenderloin (thinly sliced), or firm tofu (cubed and pressed)
• Vegetables:
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
• Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional, but highly recommended for umami)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)
• Aromatics:
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
• Optional Garnish: Sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, chili garlic sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the Noodles: Place the rice noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 5-7 minutes, or until they are pliable but not mushy. Drain the noodles immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Protein: If using shrimp, pat them dry with paper towels. If using chicken or pork, marinate the sliced meat with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch for 10 minutes. If using tofu, press out excess water and cut into cubes.
3. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sesame oil, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sugar, ground ginger, and white pepper. Set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Protein: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the protein (shrimp, chicken, pork, or tofu) and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove the protein from the wok and set aside.
5. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the minced garlic to the wok and stir-fry for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the sliced bell peppers, onion, and shredded carrots. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.
6. Combine and Cook: Add the cooked protein back to the wok with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the mixture and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
7. Add the Noodles: Add the drained rice noodles and bean sprouts to the wok. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and well combined with the vegetables and protein. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, until heated through.
8. Garnish and Serve: Remove the Mei Fun noodles from the heat and stir in the sliced green onions. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and a drizzle of chili garlic sauce (if desired). Serve immediately.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Overcooked noodles will become mushy and unappetizing. Keep a close eye on them while they’re soaking and test them frequently for doneness.
• Use High Heat: Stir-frying requires high heat to cook the ingredients quickly and evenly, preserving their texture and flavor.
• Prepare Ingredients in Advance: Having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go will make the stir-frying process much smoother and faster.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Wok: Stir-frying in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the wok, which can lower the temperature and result in steamed instead of stir-fried ingredients.
• Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, or chili garlic sauce to suit your personal preferences.

Storage Instructions

Leftover Mei Fun noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. Note that the noodles may become slightly softer upon reheating.

FAQ

Q: Can I use different vegetables?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables, such as snow peas, broccoli florets, mushrooms, or bok choy.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?
A: Yes! Use firm tofu as the protein source and substitute the oyster sauce with a vegetarian oyster sauce alternative or simply omit it and add a bit more soy sauce and sugar.

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses rice noodles. Just be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using).

Q: Can I add spice?
A: Absolutely! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or drizzle with chili garlic sauce before serving.

Q: Why are my noodles sticky?
A: This usually happens when the noodles are overcooked or not rinsed properly after cooking. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and rinse the noodles with cold water immediately after draining to prevent them from sticking together.

Conclusion

Mei Fun noodles are a delightful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its vibrant flavors, satisfying textures, and customizable ingredients, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So, ditch the takeout menu and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!