Authentic Indonesian Mie Ayam: Savory Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Ingredients

For the Spice Paste:

• 10 shallots
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric
• 5 candlenuts
• 2 cm ginger

For the Chicken Oil:

• Thinly sliced garlic
• Small pieces of chicken fat and skin
• Oil (for frying)

For the Soup:

• 1000 ml water
• Chicken bones, chopped
• 5 garlic cloves
• 4 shallots
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Garnishes:

• Sweet soy sauce
• Crushed galangal
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Salt
• Seasoning powder
• 1 garlic clove
• A pinch of salt
• Boiled greens (e.g., bok choy)
• Fried shallots
• Sambal (chili paste) to taste

For the Main Ingredients:

• Chicken and chicken feet, boiled until tender (cut chicken into cubes)

For the Chili Sauce:

• Bird’s eye chilies, fried briefly and pounded

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, coriander seeds, turmeric, candlenuts, and ginger into a smooth paste.

2. Make the Chicken Oil:

   • Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced garlic and small pieces of chicken fat and skin. Sauté until the garlic is golden and crispy, and the fat has rendered out. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Soup Base:

   • In a large pot, bring 1000 ml of water to a boil. Add the chopped chicken bones.
   • In a separate pan, sauté 5 garlic cloves and 4 shallots until fragrant. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground white pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, then blend into a smooth paste.
   • Add the spice paste to the pot of boiling water with the chicken bones. Season with salt, chicken stock, and sugar. Adjust to taste and simmer until the flavors meld.

4. Cook the Main Ingredients:

   • Heat a pan over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant. Add the chicken and chicken feet, stirring until evenly mixed.
   • Add the crushed galangal, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Pour in sweet soy sauce, salt, and seasoning powder. Add water and cook until the mixture thickens and the chicken is well-coated. Turn off the heat.

5. Assemble the Dish:

   • In a bowl, add a little of the prepared chicken oil. Place the cooked noodles in the bowl, then pour in the hot soup. Mix well.
   • Top with pieces of chicken and chicken feet. Add the boiled greens and garnish with sambal and fried shallots.

6. Serve:

   • Serve hot, ensuring each bowl is well-mixed with the savory chicken oil and flavorful broth.

Enjoy your homemade Mie Ayam, a comforting and flavorful Indonesian noodle dish perfect for any meal!