Ifumi facts for kids
A plate full of ifumi noodles in Yogyakarta
|
|
| Alternative names | I fu mie, ifu mie, yi fu mein |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Java |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Similar dishes | Mie kering |
Ifumi is a super yummy Indonesian noodle dish. It's famous for its crispy noodles that are deep-fried! You'll find it served with a thick, tasty sauce that has pieces of meat, seafood, or fresh vegetables. This dish is very popular in Maritime Southeast Asia.
It's best eaten hot, right when the noodles are still crunchy. But don't worry, the sauce slowly makes them soft and delicious as you eat. Ifumi is a favorite in Chinese Indonesian cuisine. It uses special thick noodles called yi mein, which is where its name comes from. It's a bit like another noodle dish called mie kering from Makassar.
What Makes Ifumi Special?
Unlike many other Chinese Indonesian noodles that are soft, ifumi has a fun, crispy texture. It's almost like dried instant noodles or crunchy crackers! This is because the noodles are first deep-fried in palm oil until they are golden and crunchy.
The Tasty Sauce
The yummy vegetable sauce for ifumi is quite similar to another popular Chinese Indonesian dish called cap cai. It's made by stir-frying lots of fresh veggies. These often include carrots, cloud ear mushrooms, choy sum or napa cabbage, and cauliflower. Garlic and onion are also added for flavor.
The sauce is seasoned with oyster sauce, a special Chinese cooking wine called ang ciu, and a little bit of salt and sugar. After the vegetables are cooked, water is added. Then, a mix of dissolved corn starch is stirred in to make the sauce thick and savory. This delicious, thick sauce with meat and vegetables is cooked separately. Just before serving, it's poured hot over the dry, crispy noodles. This way, you get to enjoy the noodles as they slowly soak up all the amazing flavors!
