Recipes

Special Fried Noodles Recipe

Name: Special Fried Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients: 200 gr dried egg noodles (or 400 gr fresh noodles); 3 tbsp Nabati Cermelang cooking oil; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 3 shallots, thinly sliced; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 100 gr chicken meat, diced; 50 gr shrimp, peeled; 5 beef meatballs, sliced; 50 gr mustard greens (caisim), cut into pieces; 50 gr cabbage, coarsely sliced; 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis); 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp salt (or to taste); 1/2 tsp white pepper powder; Garnish: Fried shallots, slices of cucumber, tomato, and crackers

Special Fried Noodles, or Mie Goreng Spesial, is a classic dish that holds a permanent place in the hearts of Indonesians, from street food stalls to five-star restaurants.

Published November 12, 2025

Quick 20 Minutes

Serves 2 Servings

Difficulty Easy

Scroll for full method, ingredients, and chef’s notes.

Ingredients

What you need

Gather everything first for a smoother cooking flow.

200 gr dried egg noodles (or 400 gr fresh noodles)
3 tbsp Nabati Cermelang cooking oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1 egg, lightly beaten
100 gr chicken meat, diced
50 gr shrimp, peeled
5 beef meatballs, sliced
50 gr mustard greens (caisim), cut into pieces
50 gr cabbage, coarsely sliced
3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp white pepper powder
Garnish: Fried shallots, slices of cucumber, tomato, and crackers

Method

Step-by-step

1
If using dried noodles, boil them until al dente (cooked but not too soft). Drain, then mix with 1 tbsp of Nabati Cermelang cooking oil and 1 tbsp of sweet soy sauce. Toss well to prevent the noodles from sticking. Set aside.
2
Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of cooking oil in a wok over medium-high heat.
3
Add the beaten egg, scramble it. Push the egg to the side of the wok.
4
Add the garlic and shallots, sauté on the empty side of the wok until fragrant and cooked. Mix with the scrambled egg.
5
Add the chicken, shrimp, and meatballs. Cook until the chicken and shrimp change color and are fully cooked.
6
Add the mustard greens and cabbage. Sauté briefly until the vegetables begin to wilt.
7
Add the prepared noodles. Increase the heat to high.
8
Add the remaining sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and white pepper powder.
9
Stir-fry quickly on high heat, using a spatula to lift the noodles from the bottom of the wok to distribute the seasoning evenly and achieve the classic smoky aroma.
10
Taste and correct the seasoning. Ensure the noodles are well-coated. Remove from heat and serve immediately with a sprinkle of fried shallots and garnishes.

Chef’s Notes

Tips & extra guidance

Special Fried Noodles, or Mie Goreng Spesial, is a classic dish that holds a permanent place in the hearts of Indonesians, from street food stalls to five-star restaurants. It's called "special" due to its complete array of fillings, typically including a mix of proteins like chicken, shrimp, and meatballs, along with fresh vegetables. This dish celebrates the chewy texture of noodles, perfectly combined with the sweetness of kecap manis, the savory notes of sautéed spices, and the rich umami from its various ingredients.

The biggest challenge in making fried noodles is ensuring they don't break or stick to the wok, while also ensuring the seasoning is perfectly absorbed. This is where Nabati Cermelang cooking oil plays a dual role. First, a little oil is mixed into the freshly boiled noodles to coat them, preventing them from clumping together. Second, during the stir-fry, the high-quality oil acts as the perfect heat conductor for the wok.

The process of cooking Special Fried Noodles ideally uses a very high-heat stir-fry technique. Nabati Cermelang oil has a high smoke point that is perfectly suited for this, allowing the garlic and other spices to cook quickly and release their best aroma without burning. The stable heat from the oil is also essential for giving the noodles a slight, delicious 'char' in some spots, creating the wok hei or smoky aroma that characterizes delicious fried noodles.

Furthermore, the oil acts as an emulsion that binds the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other seasonings, allowing them to coat every strand of noodle evenly. The result is not just beautifully separated noodles, but a dish that is glossy, appetizing, and rich in flavor with every bite. This Special Fried Noodles recipe is a satisfying, quick-to-make dish that can always be relied upon to please the palate.