Char kway teow is not really that difficult to make. The ingredients are simple and the consumer’s expectations are not high. Straw hats and dancing are optional. As long as your tastes and aromas are recognisable, you would have passed. Still, many food courts continue to fail in this simple dish. That’s when I decide to take matters into my own hands.

Make no mistake, this is not a healthy dish. It has to have enough oil, enough garlic and enough heat.

Fish cake and eggs next. Fry until the eggs are a bit flaky.

In go the cooked noodles and kway teow. It’s very important to turn up your stove to full blast at this point. I would also add in my fish sauce and pepper. Do not add water or cook for too long or your kway teow will disintegrate.

Finally, bean sprouts and chye sim. Turn down the heat, then drizzle some dark sweet soy sauce over. Toss it well. Serve hot.

© Chan Joon Yee