Economy Fried Beehoon is a simple vegetarian rice noodles stir fry. Can be served at room temperature for breakfast or lunch. Works well in the lunch box.
In many parts of Asia, population density is high and the available school buildings are limited. Hence, the same facility is shared by two separate sessions, morning and afternoon to allow twice the number of classes available for the same school year. Children going to the morning session will start at 7:30am and end by 12:30pm while the afternoon school is from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. Given this schedule packed lunches are not necessary for school children. In contrast, children in the United States go to school for almost a full day. Thus, school lunches are a part of life here.
I have been packing lunches for my boys since those little feet started making their way to school. In fact, I really miss packing lunch for Ro-Taro who has gone out of state to college. The school lunch is my way of including a token of my love for them to carry to school. These lunches can range from a simple ham and cheese sandwich all the way to the most elaborate and decorative bentos.
This month’s theme for World on a Plate is BENTO. Our chief decided that it would be a good topic to coincide with the start of the school year here in the United States. I have decided to adapt a popular office breakfast from Malaysia and Singapore for this event. In keeping with its name, this is a simple and economic meal to prepare. It consists mainly of thin rice noodles or beehoon as it is known there, and vegetables. Despite its simplicity, this Economy Fried Beehoon can be easily combined with an array of other foods like sausages and lunch meats. For additional flavor, most people add a dash of sweet chili sauce or ketchup into the mix. This dish does not require reheating and may be eaten at room temperature.
I have added some shredded egg for protein and color interest. Other possible additions may include fried tofu strips or spam. The lunchbox that I am using here is a super-size one for healthy teenage appetites. It is an insulated flask and keeps the lunch warm. I usually pack fruits in the top tier container so that they do not get stewed. For this bento, Ro-Jiro requested for some mooncakes as it is currently the Mid-Autumn festival.
Economy Fried Beehoon is a simple vegetarian rice noodles stir fry. Can be served at room temperature for breakfast or lunch. Works well in the lunch box.
- 6 oz beehoon (dried thin rice noodles) (170g)
- 2 eggs beaten plus ½ tsp soy sauce and a dash of pepper
- 2 tbsp + 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 oz bean sprouts (trimmed) (170g)
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 red chili (seeded and thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp water
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Soak beehoon (thin rice noodless) for 15 minutes or until soft. Combine eggs, soy sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Beat with a fork to get everything well mixed.
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Heat a large non-stick fry pan with a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Pour egg mixture into pan. Swirl pan to get egg spread out as much as possible. Let egg cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip egg over and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove, roll, and slice into thin strips. Set aside.
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Add remaining 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil into pan. Saute garlic for a minute. Drain noodles and add it to the pan. Stir to spread it out.
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Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over noodles and give it a good stir to get noodles thoroughly coated with sauce. Continue to stir for 3 to 4 minutes.
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Mix in bean sprouts and continue to stir for another minute or so. Turn off heat and sprinkle egg strips, green onions, and red chilies over noodles.
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Dish into plates and serve immediately.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
If I were Ro-Taro, I would be missing your lunch boxes!!! This looks delicious!!
How wonderful that you consider preparing lunch for your kids a way of showing love! If only many more parents considered lunches the same way you do! Great dish.
Hi Biren, I love fried meehoon and my kids love them too. Last week, I also made them fried meehoon at home, my daughter was so happy when she got back from school and saw it! 😉
I remembered my first days in Malaysia when I saw this post, it was one of the first dishes I had when I stayed in a hotel and it was offered in a breakfast buffet
I love stir-fried meehoon with mung bean sprouts! Can have it on daily basis!
I love all of the different textures and flavors in this bento! Nothing like the lunches I use to have as a kid. 🙂 The addition of the egg is especially delightful for me.
When I was a child schools used to be day and afternoon here too! I love yoour Asian touch to this American custom! I have never heard of beehoon again! So many things I am learning from blogging!
i love your touch! I love it. Making food for my kids is such a blessing and a wonderful way to show them how much you care and how you are always thinking of them. This looks amazing, fun and so delicious
I LOVE economy bee hoon and think it’s really under rated. Your twist on it is pure kitchen genius 🙂
Gosh, what a pretty dish! Really nice presentation and photographs. And this is a really easy dish to make! I always have rice stick in my pantry (don’t think I have the thin ones at the moment, though)and usually always have everything else except for the bean sprouts. Which, of course, are quite easy to get. I have to try this! Good stuff – thanks.
One of those quick and easy meals to make and equally delicious. I used to bring these beehoon to school for lunch, alternating it with hokkien mee. I still have cold fried beehoon for lunch at work, and they are so nice and satisfying (beats a cheese sandwich anytime in my books). Bet Ro-Jiro enjoyed his bento that day. I love hearing from my kids when they especially enjoyed their lunchbox from home.
Love this! What a great lunch!