If you are a fan of noodles, you might have heard of or tried white bee hoon, a popular Singaporean dish that is also known as bee hoon putih or chao-bai-mi-fen. White bee hoon is a stir-fried rice vermicelli dish that is cooked with a rich and flavourful broth, seafood, egg and vegetables. It has a simple yet satisfying taste that appeals to many palates. White bee hoon has its origins from a zi char hawker stall at Chong Pang Market in 1999 and has since become a signature dish of White Restaurant, which has six outlets in Singapore. But how does white bee hoon compare with other noodle dishes from different cuisines? What makes it unique and delicious? In this blog post, we will explore these questions and highlight the features that set white bee hoon apart from other noodle dishes.
Noodles are a staple food in many cultures and cuisines, and there are countless varieties of noodle dishes in the world. Some of the most well-known ones are mee goreng, char kway teow, pad thai, pho and ramen. How does white bee hoon compare with these noodle dishes? Let’s take a look at the main differences between them in terms of ingredients, cooking method, taste and presentation.
How White Bee Hoon Differs from Other Noodle Dishes
Ingredients
One of the main differences between white bee hoon and other noodle dishes is the type of noodles used. White bee hoon uses rice vermicelli, which are thin and translucent noodles made from rice flour. Rice vermicelli are gluten-free and low in fat, making them a healthy choice for noodle lovers. Other noodle dishes use different types of noodles, such as yellow noodles, flat rice noodles, wheat noodles or buckwheat noodles. These noodles have different textures, shapes and nutritional values.
Another difference is the toppings and sauces used for the noodle dishes. White bee hoon is cooked with seafood, egg and vegetables, such as prawns, squid, fish cake, cabbage and choy sum. The seafood adds a natural sweetness and umami to the dish, while the egg and vegetables add protein and fibre. White bee hoon is also cooked with a broth that is made from chicken carcasses, chicken feet, soya beans, prawn heads and shells. The broth gives the dish a rich and deep flavour that coats the noodles well. White bee hoon does not use any sauces to flavour the dish, unlike other noodle dishes that use various sauces such as tomato sauce, chilli sauce, tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, miso paste or oyster sauce. These sauces give the noodle dishes different colours and tastes.
Cooking Method
Another difference between white bee hoon and other noodle dishes is the cooking method. White bee hoon is stir-fried with broth in a wok over high heat. The broth helps to keep the noodles moist and smooth, and also infuses them with flavour. The stir-frying technique also creates a slight char on the noodles, giving them a smoky aroma. Other noodle dishes are either stir-fried with sauces or boiled with broth in a pot. Stir-frying with sauces creates a dry and sticky texture on the noodles, while boiling with broth creates a soupy and soft texture on the noodles.
Taste
Another difference between white bee hoon and other noodle dishes is the taste. White bee hoon has a savoury, umami and slightly sweet taste that is balanced by the freshness of the seafood and the vegetables. It is not spicy or sour, but has a subtle hint of garlic and shallots. White bee hoon is also not too salty or oily, making it easy to eat and digest. Other noodle dishes have different tastes depending on the sauces and spices used. Some are spicy, tangy or sweet, while others are rich, creamy or salty. Some also have strong aromas from herbs or spices such as basil leaves, cilantro leaves , mint leaves , star anise , cinnamon , cloves , cardamom , ginger , onion , garlic , ginger or seaweed.
Presentation
Another difference between white bee hoon and other noodle dishes is the presentation. White bee hoon has a white colour with brown gravy and colourful toppings. It looks simple but appetizing, and can be served on its own or with condiments such as pickled green chillies or sambal belacan . Other noodle dishes have different colours depending on the sauces and ingredients used. Some are yellow, red or brown, while others are light brown or clear. They also have different garnishes such as fried shallots , coriander leaves , peanuts , boiled eggs , pork belly slices or chicken slices .
As you can see, white bee hoon stands out from other noodle dishes in terms of its simplicity of ingredients but complexity of flavour. It relies on the quality of the broth to bring out the taste of the rice vermicelli and the seafood. It is also versatile and can be customized with different ingredients and sauces according to preference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, white bee hoon is a unique and delicious noodle dish that differs from other noodle dishes in terms of ingredients, cooking method, taste and presentation. It uses simple ingredients but creates a complex flavour with the help of a rich and flavourful broth. It is stir-fried with broth instead of sauces, giving it a moist and smooth texture. It has a savoury, umami and slightly sweet taste that is balanced by the freshness of the seafood and the vegetables. It has a white colour with brown gravy and colourful toppings, making it visually appealing and appetizing. White bee hoon is also versatile and can be customized with different ingredients and sauces according to preference. If you are looking for a satisfying and comforting noodle dish, you should definitely try white bee hoon at White Restaurant or make your own at home using online recipes. You will not regret it! White bee hoon is not just another noodle dish, it is a noodle dish with a difference!