Hsee Kyet Khauk Swe - Burmese Garlic Noodles

Burmese Garlic Noodles

My earliest recollection of Hsee Kyet Khauk Swe is of our school cafetaria that served this occasionally. Two or three of our friends would pool our lunch money to buy food to share family style. Hsee means oil, Kyet means cook and Khauk Swe are egg noodles. These noodles were boiled and stir-fried in oil and a lot of garlic. I added minced chicken and 3 forms of garlic.

Fresh garlic was used up front with sliced onions and browned, and minced chicken. Garlic oil was used as a garnish along with deep fried garlic. Half a head of shredded iceberg lettuce, fish sauce and toasted chickpea flour were some of the other ingredients in this dish.

Ingredients

1 pkg. fresh egg noodles, blanched in boiling water and drained

1 lb. ground chicken, browned 

1/2 iceberg lettuce, shredded

1 large onion, sliced

6-8 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. fish sauce, or to taste

6 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. sesame oil

Garnishes

chickpea flour, toasted
green onions, chopped

limes, quartered

deep-fried onions

deep-fried garlic

chili-garlic oil

Directions

1. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, place fresh noodles in the water, bring back to a boil and drain noodles.
2. Season noodles with fish sauce and sesame oil.
3. Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat and brown minced chicken seasoned with fish sauce, onion and minced garlic.
4. Add noodles and mix through and adjust seasoning with fish sauce.
5. Stir in shredded lettuce and turn heat off.
6. Serve in individual bowls and allow each guest to select Garnishes of choice.