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Mee Sua (面线) or spelt as Misua and also Miswa is an authentic variation of noodles from China. The noodles originate from the city of Quanzhou (泉州) within the southeastern province of Fujian (福建), China. Mee Sua may be native to Fujian but ever since the migration of the Chinese people to other parts of the world, Mee Sua is now available in most parts of the globe.
Some Mee Sua History
Mee Sua is made of wheat flour and is a form of long and thinly salted noodles. It differs from other Chinese noodles such as Bee Hoon or rice vermicelli. Since it is very thin, the Mee Sua will cook within two minutes in boiling water. Some would place Mee Sua into stews and broth and serve them immediately after it is cooked.
Mee Sua is also called the longevity noodles due to its length and in Chinese culture. It is likened to a western ‘birthday cake’, where Mee Sua is a rare occasion in families as it is only served during festivities. Having Mee Sua on birthdays signifies that a good and long life is wished upon the person and at most times, Mee Sua is paired with Chinese red eggs which signify life and birth.
Types of Mee Sua
There are four common types of Mee Sua, which are:
- Quanzhou Mee Sua 泉州面线
- Tangnan Mee Sua 汤南面线
- Puning Mee Sua 普宁面线
- Taiwan Mee Sua 台灣面线
Though Mee Sua is commonly served in the soupy variant, the Tangnan Mee Sua is an exception as it is used to make stir-fried noodles.
One of the highly-favoured Mee Sua is the Quanzhou Mee Sua, and it is well-known for its Mee Sua Gor (面线糊) which literally means Mee Sua pulp. The noodles are cooked until thick, sticky and gooey. Mee Sua Gor was not meant to eat as a dish itself but with toppings and condiments added onto it.
Traditional toppings such as raw oysters and braised pig intestines are added to form delicacies named Oh-Ah Mee Sua and tua-tn̂g-Mee Sua respectively. Nevertheless, not all enjoy the delicious authentic Mee Sua variations.
Chicken Mee Sua Soup is a greatly sought-after Mee Sua that is loved by Malaysians. Different parts of the chicken can be used such as breast meat, thigh and even wings are cooked in many ways to form many variations of Chicken Mee Sua Soup.
The more popular options are sesame oil, red wine, Hua-Diao wine chicken which are simmered for some time in a pot with the Mee Sua added on later. The savoury soup always gives tastebuds a cheer, and the rich flavour of the entire dish can satisfy one’s stomach!
Taiwan Mee Sua is interesting as it is manufactured in orange colour as opposed to its white counterparts. The Taiwan Mee Sua can also be called the ‘red misua’.
While making a Mee Sua dish, one must not add salt in it as salt is already added to the noodles during the manufacturing process.
Where to find Chicken Mee Sua Soup?
Quite a number of restaurants offer different varieties of Chicken Mee Sua Soup, be it with or without wine, chicken breasts or chicken drumsticks, it is comfort food for all. Savour a bowl of piping hot Chicken Mee Sua Soup at Big Family Food Court, Shen Fu Duck Drumstick Mee Suah and Jingwood Soon Soon Noodle with the largest food delivery app foodpanda!
You can also read more about the history of Chinese food here.