Entree: Laos – Lao Isan Border Cuisine – Kua Mee (Stir-fried egg noodles with pork, greens, and Lao-Isan savory-sour seasonings)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 10 min

Total 25 min

Ingredients

- 8 oz (225 g) fresh or dried egg noodles (if dried, soak per package directions)
- 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced (about 2 oz / 60 g)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) fish sauce
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) tamarind paste or 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice if unavailable
- 2 tsp (8 g) palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 cup (30 g) bean sprouts
- 1 cup (25 g) Chinese chives or green onions, cut into 2 in (5 cm) lengths
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) ground white pepper or black pepper
- 1–2 Thai chilies, sliced (optional)
- Lime wedges, crushed roasted peanuts, and additional chilies for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare noodles: if using dried egg noodles, soak or blanch according to package instructions until pliable but still slightly firm. Drain and set aside. If fresh, loosen strands by briefly dunking in hot water and draining.
2. Heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil in a large wok or heavy skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add ground pork and stir-fry, breaking up lumps, until just browned, 3–4 minutes. Push pork to the side.
3. Add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil to the empty side of the wok. Add sliced garlic and shallots and stir until fragrant and beginning to color, about 1 minute. Stir together with the pork.
4. Pour beaten eggs into the wok and scramble quickly, mixing into the pork and aromatics.
5. Add noodles to the wok and toss to combine. Stir in fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind (or lime juice), and palm sugar. Toss constantly so the noodles heat through and absorb the sauce, 2–3 minutes. Add a splash (1–2 tbsp / 15–30 ml) water if mixture seems dry.
6. Toss in bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and ground pepper. Stir-fry another 30–60 seconds until chives are wilted but still bright and sprouts retain some crunch. Taste and adjust with additional fish sauce, lime, or sugar to balance savory, sour, and sweet.
7. Serve immediately with lime wedges, sliced chilies, and crushed peanuts on the side.