MEE REBUS

Mee Rebus (Hawker Style)

Mee Rebus is a hugely popular noodle dish from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It features yellow egg noodles served with a thick, spicy, slightly sweet, and tangy gravy made from sweet potatoes and a flavorful Rempah spice paste. Traditionally, it is garnished with boiled eggs, fried shallots, tofu, bean sprouts, fresh chilies, and calamansi. Once sold mainly by street hawkers, Mee Rebus is now enjoyed everywhere from roadside stalls to fine dining restaurants.

Sweet Potato Base

1. Steam 500–600 g sweet potatoes until soft.
2. Allow them to cool.
3. Blend with a little water and 1–2 tsp gula Melaka (or substitute with brown sugar).

Chicken Stock

1. Boil 1.5–2 litres of water with sliced ginger, garlic, chicken carcass, lemongrass, and salt.
2. Simmer on low heat for at least 1 hour.
3. Your chicken stock is ready.

Ingredients for Rempah Paste

• 1–2 inch galangal
• 1–2 inch ginger
• Few fresh red chilies
• 2 tbsp dried shrimp (soaked for 15–20 minutes)
• 2 tbsp dried anchovies
• 3–4 tbsp fermented soya bean paste
• 1 red onion
• 10 shallots
• 4–5 stalks lemongrass
• 4–5 tbsp meat curry powder

Prepare the Rempah Paste

1. Blend all the ingredients into a smooth paste.
2. Your Rempah paste is ready.

Prepare the Sauce

1. Heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
2. Add the Rempah paste.
3. Cook on medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

4. Add the sweet potato puree.
5. Add gula Melaka if required.
6. Pour in about 1 litre of chicken stock.

7. Mix well.
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
9. The gravy should be sweet, tangy, and savoury.
10. Continue stirring for 6–10 minutes.
11. Switch off the heat and keep the sauce warm.

Toppings

• Blanched bean sprouts
• Cooked yellow noodles
• 4–5 boiled eggs
• Fried tofu
• Fried shallots
• Fresh green and red chilies
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Lime or calamansi

To Serve

1. Place the cooked yellow noodles in a serving bowl.
2. Pour the hot Mee Rebus gravy generously over the noodles.
3. Top with bean sprouts, boiled eggs, fried tofu, fried shallots, fresh chilies, coriander leaves, and lime or calamansi.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy.