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Meat, Africa and overseas

Tahitian chao men, stir fried noodles with pork, chicken and shrimp

Tahitian chao men is a stir fried noodle dish with pork, chicken, and shrimp, served with crisp vegetables. It serves 4, takes 40 minutes, rates as easy, and costs €3.40 per person. The key to success is the cooking order, each ingredient seared separately before the noodles go in last.

Tonight we're making Tahitian style chao men, stir fried noodles with pork, chicken, and shrimp.

Tahitian chao men, stir fried noodles with pork, chicken and shrimp
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.40
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Fall, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Tahitian chao men combines three different meats in one pan, which gives it a generous feel you won't find in a basic stir fry. The pork brings tenderness, the chicken holds its bite, and the shrimp adds a briny note that changes the whole dish. The vegetables stay crisp, cut into thin sticks or shredded, to contrast with the soft noodles.

It's a dish that brings the whole family to the table easily, since everyone finds a meat they like in it. It works just as well on a weeknight, once the vegetables are chopped ahead, as on a weekend when you take your time with the prep. Kids usually go along with it without fuss, especially if you leave the shrimp on the side of their plate at first.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Egg noodlesoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Soy sauce 4 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Butcher

  • Pork tenderloin 200 g
  • Chicken breasts 200 g

Frozen foods

  • Peeled shrimp 200 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Chinese cabbage 0.5
  • Carrots 2
  • Green beans 100 g
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Allergens Gluten, Soy, Eggs, Shellfish

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the noodles according to the package, drain them, and rinse under cold water. 5 min

    A drizzle of oil keeps them from sticking.

  2. Cut the pork and chicken into strips and stir fry over high heat in the oil. 6 min

    Sear the meat in two batches so it browns properly.

  3. Add the onion, garlic, carrot sticks, and green beans, then the shredded cabbage. 6 min

    Keep the vegetables crisp, they shouldn't turn soft.

  4. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink. 3 min

    Thaw them ahead of time and pat them dry.

  5. Pour in the noodles and soy sauce, toss over high heat to coat everything. 4 min

    Pull the pan off the heat as soon as everything is hot, so the noodles keep their texture.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut all the meats and vegetables before you turn on the heat, the cooking moves fast and you won't have time to chop along the way.
  • Use a large skillet or a wide wok so the ingredients brown instead of steaming in their own liquid.
  • If you double the recipe, stir fry the meat and vegetables in batches, otherwise everything releases water and turns soggy.

The variations

  • Swap the shrimp for sliced squid or imitation crab for a different briny note.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the three meats and add pan seared firm tofu with bean sprouts instead.
  • For a faster version, use pre shredded vegetables from the produce section and cut the vegetable cooking time by two minutes.

What to serve it with

  • A clear broth to start
  • A vinegared cucumber salad
  • Iced green tea

Storage

Chao men keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well, since the noodles turn mushy once thawed. Reheat it in a hot skillet with a splash of water so it doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you make chao men ahead of time?

You can cut the meats and vegetables the day before and store them separately in the fridge. Avoid cooking the noodles too far ahead, they hold up best when cooked just before serving.

What noodles can you use instead of egg noodles?

Plain Chinese wheat noodles work very well in their place. Skip rice noodles, they're too thin and tend to break apart in the pan.

Can you freeze chao men?

It's not recommended, the noodles lose their texture when thawed and turn gummy. It's better to eat it within a few days of cooking.

How do you keep the vegetables crisp?

Cut the carrots into thin sticks and the green beans short, so they cook fast over high heat. Don't leave them in the pan more than 6 minutes, they should stay firm to the bite.

How long does it take to make a Tahitian chao men, stir fried noodles with pork, chicken, and shrimp?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Tahitian chao men, stir fried noodles with pork, chicken, and shrimp?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Tahitian chao men, stir fried noodles with pork, chicken, and shrimp cost?

About €3.40 per serving, or €13.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, soy, eggs, shellfish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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