Mie jawa facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Bakmi jawa, mi jawa, mee Jawa |
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| Type | Noodle |
| Course | Main |
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Yogyakarta |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Noodles, chicken, eggs, garlic, shallot, candlenut, coriander, cabbage, leek, choy sum, tomato, salt and pepper |
Mie jawa (which means Java noodles) is a yummy noodle dish. People in Indonesia call it mi jawa or bakmi jawa. In Malaysia, it's known as mee Jawa. This traditional dish comes from the Javanese people and is popular in both Indonesia and Malaysia.
Mie jawa is usually made with yellow noodles. It also has chicken, fresh vegetables, eggs, and a mix of special spices. Even though it's the same dish, the way it's made can be a little different in Indonesia compared to Malaysia. Sometimes, people confuse Mie jawa with another noodle dish called mie rebus. But only one type of Mie jawa, called mie godhog jawa, is truly similar to mie rebus.
Where Did Mie Jawa Come From?
Like many noodle dishes in Asia, Mie jawa was likely inspired by Chinese noodle soup. However, the spices used in Mie jawa were changed to fit the taste of Javanese people. This means it's often spicier and a little sweet.
The name "Mie jawa" tells us that this dish probably started in Java, Indonesia. Or, it was created by Javanese people. In Indonesia, many believe Mie jawa began in the Central Java area. It is often linked to the royal city of Yogyakarta.
You can find Mie jawa sellers all over Javanese cities and towns. There are many in Yogyakarta, Klaten, Wonosobo, Semarang, and Solo. You can also find street vendors selling it from carts in bigger Indonesian cities. These include Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya.
In Malaysia, people think the dish was brought by the Javanese Malaysian community. This happened in the early 1800s. The Malaysian version of mee Jawa is different because it adds a sauce made from sweet potato. In the past, mee Jawa sellers would carry two baskets on their shoulders. They would also ride bicycles to sell their food from place to place.
Mie Jawa in Indonesia
In Indonesia, "bakmi jawa" or "mie jawa" simply means "Javanese noodles." There are a few different types of this dish in the country. Indonesian Mie jawa has three main versions. These versions are different based on how much liquid they have.
Traditional Mie jawa uses ayam kampung. This is a local type of free-range chicken. It uses local spices like shallots, garlic, coriander, and candlenut. It also has pepper, leek, cabbage, and green tomatoes. The noodles are often cooked on a hot earthenware stove. This stove uses charcoal, which gives the dish a special smoky flavor.
Mee Jawa in Malaysia
In Malaysia, mee Jawa is made with yellow egg noodles. These noodles are covered in a sauce. This sauce is made from blended sweet potato, tomato sauce, and prawn stock. You can find famous mee Jawa stalls in the Malaysian states of Penang and Sarawak.
The sauce for mee Jawa is made with beef stock. This gives it a slightly meaty taste. The sweetness from the sweet potato is balanced by the tartness of the tomato paste. The sauce becomes thick and delicious.
The main ingredients in Malaysian mee Jawa include beancurd, beansprouts, hard-boiled egg, and ground peanuts. Sometimes, fried shallots or shrimp are added too.
