Lita Eats

Mie Ayam is a staple of street food in Indonesia, enjoyed at all hours, whether during the day or late at night. From bustling markets to quiet roadside stalls, these springy noodles are a beloved comfort food, often served in flavorful sweet or savoury topping made from chicken, meat, pork or mushroom. However, after moving to the Netherlands, I found it difficult to find this type of authentic Indonesian noodles to make mie ayam. That challenge led me to learn how to make them myself, bringing a taste of Indonesia’s vibrant street food culture right into my own kitchen!

Ingredients

• 1 kg all purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 280ml water

Methods

1. Prepare the dough and mix the dough using a machine
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour and salt.
   • Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
   • Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and beat lightly. Add water and keep beaten lightly.
   • Gradually add the eggs and water mixture to the flour mixture.
   • Stirring the mixture gently with a spoon.
   • Mix the dough on medium speed, just until the ingredients come together. Avoid over-mixing, as we want the dough to be slightly rough and springy, not fully developed or overworked.
   • Once the dough forms a cohesive, stop the machine. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
2. Rest the dough
   • Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.
   • Let it rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax. This helps the dough become easier to roll out and gives the noodles a better texture.
3. Roll and cut the noodles
   • Divide the dough into smaller portions to handle it more easily.
   • Roll each portion out on a lightly floured surface or use a pasta machine to reach the desired thinness (about 1-2 mm).
   • Cut the dough into thin noodle strips or your preferred noodle shape.
4. Cook the noodles
   • Boil a large pot of salted water.
   • Drop the noodles into the boiling water and cook for about 2-4 minutes, depending on thickness. Fresh noodles cook quickly, so keep an eye on them!
5. Serve
   • Drain the noodles and pair them with your favorite topping

By using a machine for gentle mixing and avoiding overworking the dough, your noodles will retain a nice, springy texture. Enjoy your perfectly chewy homemade noodles!