Mie goreng
Indonesian stir-fried noodles with sweet soy sauce, egg, and vegetables
Mie goreng is a popular Indonesian dish of yellow noodles stir-fried with sweet soy sauce, garlic, onion, egg, vegetables, and often chicken, prawn, or beef. Found everywhere from street stalls to restaurants, it is enjoyed across Indonesia as a main meal and comes in many regional and modern versions.
- Mie goreng means "fried noodles" in Indonesian.
- It uses sweet soy sauce for a mild, sweet flavor.
- Sold everywhere in Indonesia, from street stalls to restaurants.
- Instant mie goreng is popular in Indonesia and abroad.
- Can be made with chicken, prawn, beef, or just vegetables and egg.
What is Mie goreng?
Mie goreng is a dish of thin yellow noodles quickly stir-fried in oil with sweet soy sauce, garlic, onion or shallots, and a mix of vegetables such as Chinese cabbage or regular cabbage. It often includes egg and may have chicken, prawn, beef, or sliced meatballs. The noodles are soft and coated in a dark, mildly sweet sauce, with a savory aroma from the garlic and shallots. It is usually served hot and can be found everywhere in Indonesia, from simple street carts to restaurants.
Where does Mie goreng come from?
Mie goreng traces its roots to Chinese Indonesian cooking, inspired by Chinese chow mein. Chinese immigrants brought the idea of stir-fried noodles to Indonesia, but the dish has changed over time to suit local tastes. The use of sweet soy sauce and fried shallots, as well as the avoidance of pork and lard in favor of chicken, beef, or prawn, make it distinctively Indonesian. Today, mie goreng is a staple food across the country and is deeply woven into everyday eating.
How is Mie goreng made?
To make mie goreng, yellow wheat noodles are stir-fried in oil with chopped garlic, onion, or shallots. Sweet soy sauce is added for flavor and color. Egg, vegetables, and a choice of chicken, prawn, beef, or meatballs are mixed in. Sometimes, instant noodles and their seasoning packets are used instead of fresh noodles. The dish is cooked quickly over high heat, resulting in noodles that are soft but not mushy, coated in a glossy sauce.
How and when is Mie goreng eaten?
Mie goreng is eaten as a main meal, often for lunch or dinner. It is served hot, either on its own or with accompaniments such as fried shallots, chili sauce (sambal), or slices of tomato. In Indonesia, it is sold everywhere, from street vendors (warungs) to upscale restaurants. People enjoy it at home, in markets, or as a quick meal out. It is a familiar comfort food, eaten casually and often shared.
Kinds of Mie goreng
There are many regional and ingredient-based versions of mie goreng. Mi goreng Aceh uses thick noodles and a spicy, curry-like paste. Mi goreng Jawa from Central Java features sweet soy sauce, chicken, egg, and vegetables. Mi goreng kerang from Batam includes clams. Instant mie goreng, especially the Indomie brand, is popular both in Indonesia and abroad, though it is boiled and then seasoned rather than stir-fried. Other noodle types, like rice vermicelli or flat rice noodles, are sometimes used in similar dishes.
What Mie goreng means
Mie goreng is a symbol of everyday Indonesian food culture, found in all corners of the country. It reflects Chinese influence but has become a national favorite, adapted to local tastes and customs. The instant version, especially Indomie mie goreng, is widely recognized and enjoyed in Indonesia and internationally. The dish is not tied to any particular festival or religious event but is a daily staple, representing the diversity and adaptability of Indonesian cuisine.
Questions people ask about Mie goreng
What is mie goreng made of?
Mie goreng is made from yellow noodles stir-fried with sweet soy sauce, garlic, onion or shallots, egg, vegetables, and often chicken, prawn, beef, or meatballs.
Where does mie goreng come from?
Mie goreng comes from Indonesia and is influenced by Chinese stir-fried noodle dishes, but has developed a distinct Indonesian style.
Is mie goreng vegetarian?
Mie goreng can be made vegetarian by omitting meat and seafood, but many versions include chicken, prawn, or beef. The dish varies depending on where and how it is prepared.
How is mie goreng usually served?
It is served hot, often garnished with fried shallots and sometimes accompanied by chili sauce or tomato slices. It is eaten as a main meal for lunch or dinner.
Are there different types of mie goreng?
Yes, there are many regional and ingredient-based variations, such as mi goreng Aceh with thick noodles and spicy paste, mi goreng Jawa with sweet soy sauce and chicken, and instant mie goreng found in packets.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mie goreng", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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