Ingredients

  • 6 ounces mee (see above)
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying, about 2 cups
  • 1/2 cup very finely chopped, peeled shallots
  • 1 tablespoon peeled and minced garlic
  • 1 to 2 fresh hot green chilies, minced
  • 1 cake pressed bean curd, cut into julienne strips
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons Japanese soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Peel from 1/2 lemon, cut into very thin, l-inch-long strips
  • 1/4 cup fresh Chinese (or other) chives, cut into 1/2-inch lengths
  • 1/4 cup fresh Chinese parsley leaves
  • 1 cup fresh mung-bean sprouts, washed, drained, and patted dry
  • Garnish: additional parsley sprigs

Method

  • Soak the mee in hot, not boiling, water for a minute or until they soften.
  • Drain immediately.
  • Line two large platters with paper towels and keep nearby.
  • Heat the oil in a wok over a high flame.
  • When very hot, throw in a small handful of mee.
  • Fry for about 30 to 40 seconds, then turn over what will look like a thin pancake of vermicelli.
  • Fry for 30 to 40 seconds on the second side.
  • The mee should turn a lovely reddish-golden color and be quite crisp.
  • Remove it with a slotted spoon and leave to drain on the paper towels.
  • Fry all the mee this way.
  • Take the wok off the flame and remove all but 1/4 cup of the oil.
  • Heat this over a medium flame.
  • Put in the shallots, garlic, and green chili.
  • Stir and fry until the shallots are lightly browned.
  • Put in the bean curd and stir for a minute.
  • Now break all the eggs into the wok.
  • Stir for a minute, breaking up the yolks.
  • Add the salt, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, cayenne, and lots of black pepper.
  • Stir and fry until the eggs have solidified completely.
  • Turn the heat to medium-low.
  • Continue stirring and frying another 15 to 20 minutes or until the mixture is completely dry, lowering heat if necessary.
  • Just before you are ready to eat, toss the mee with the egg mixture, the lemon peel, chives, and Chinese parsley leaves.
  • Arrange on a platter.
  • Scatter the bean sprouts over the top and garnish with the additional parsley sprigs.