
Some time last year, I was browsing on the internet and came across a site that blogs about Malaysian food. I was very excited to learn that the author of My Lemony Kitchen, Lisa, hails from Kedah, Malaysia. That is where I come from too! I found myself very lucky to have stumbled upon her blog. Lisa is a food blogger who is based in Perth, Australia.
Though we both live miles apart, food blogging has got us connected! Lisa is a very talented cook, all the dishes she made and blogged about are just as authentic as those that one could find in Malaysia. I love checking her blog and feel a sense of closeness when I interact with her. Today, Lisa is going to share with us a very popular recipe from Kedah. Please welcome her!
When I first read Leemei’s invite to be her guest blogger, I nearly fell off my chair! I just could not believe what I was reading… me? Be her guest? Gave myself a good pinch to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Here I am today, with my first guest post. Thanks for the invite, Leemei!
Both of us are from Kedah, located in the North-Western part of Peninsula Malaysia, where lush green paddy fields stretched as far as eyes could see. Kedah is also known as the “Rice Bowl of Malaysia”, as it is one of the biggest producers of rice for more than half of the country’s home grown rice supply. It is a land of unique natural beauty, surrounded by much greenery.
The taste (particularly in using spices) of Malaysian food does vary, depending on which part of Malaysia a person comes from. People from the the Northern states (Perlis, Kedah, and Penang), tend to prepare their dishes a little more spicy. If not, they tend to serve freshly cut chillies during meals. Dishes that are prepared in the Central and Southern tend to cook less spicy food. We grew up enjoying varieties of food Kedah has to offer. It was a brilliant suggestion (Leemei’s) to write about Kedah local fare.
Bihun Sup or Vermicelli in Beef Broth is our specialty dish, one of many dishes we will miss when we are far away from our home. Bihun is a Malay word that means rice vermicelli. Rice vermicelli by itself is tasteless and soaks up the flavours of the ingredients that it’s cooked with. Hence, it is very versatile. Normally, rice vermicelli is stir-fried or made into soup noodle, like this one.
The broth is light yet flavoursome, which has the influence of Malay, Chinese and Thai. One thing that you will notice is the colour of the rice vermicelli, it is not white! Well, this is the main feature of bihun sup. Turmeric powder is used to colour the noodles in yellow, which makes this a distinct feature. The aroma of the soup will send my tummy rumbling with excitement, the addition of sambal in the soup will make me go for a second bowl and eat till my heart content… slurp!!
Please do try this special dish from Kedah and don’t be discouraged by the long list of items…it’s simple … really!
What a beautiful guest post. I love noodle soups and the yellow color of the noodles is beautiful. Thanks for introducing us to a lovely new blog, Leemei!
You’re welcome. I definitely love this noodle soup.. the broth is full of flavours!
I love to add tumeric in my cooking but haven’t tried it for soup. Interesting soup recipe and great guest post! I must also check out Lisa’s blog soon. 😉
Turmeric has nice colour and aroma. I love it!
Such simplicity 🙂 And the colour combination is just amazing! I’ve not had this for the longest time, definitely making me crave for some right now 🙂
I haven’t had it for a very long time too! Thanks to Lisa for making it 🙂
This is one of my favorite dishes too 🙂 the pictures look so tasty and inviting!
Janine
Thank you 🙂
Thanks Leemei, Lisa,
I love Malay-style soup noodles and like to favor dishes with turmeric powder. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe.
This is a bowl of comforting soup noodle. 🙂
stunning photography which got me salivating for a bowl. What a great guest post :))
Thanks! Do drop by Lisa’s blog!
Oh I see, that’s the way to make yellow vermicelli. 🙂
Yup! It’s nice, right!
Beautiful color with turmeric powder. It looks like a tasty soup to try
It is! Give it a go. 😉
I was going to say I have not tried yellow vermicelli but then realized it is the turmeric doing magic! I don’t think I have tried this though. Making me drool…
The magical turmeric 😉
Hmmm…. this dish looks familiar… hehehe.
Thank you Leemei for giving me the opportunity and to share your spot with me :).
Thanks Lisa for this wonderful guest post!
Gorgeous bowl of meehoon soup. Ultimate comfort food.
Agreed!
I’m getting to love Malay cuisine more and more, after moving to Australia and having more chances to sample. Malay cuisine has a lot of flavours, textures and sophisticated tastes.
Just like this Rice Vermicelli in Beef Broth, simple, yet cooked with a array of spices. Love it!
Oh yeah, the broth has very deep flavours. Give it a try!