Video of making Mee Siput

Story about Mee Siput

This time, let Cat talk about a snack that Cat had enjoyed when she was little. Actually, Cat was going to continue writing Melaka, but then got side tracked by someone into talking about food. It's not about recipes. However, it's rather on the endangered species of food that carry the risk of being forgotten due to the fact that modern people just do not have time to spend preparing the tedious steps.

When Cat was in primary school, Cat had a favorite snack called "Mee Siput". This snack is so famous in her hometown "Muar". A direct translation of 'Mee Siput' in English would be "Snail Noodles”. In France, they would have called it "Nouille d'escargot". She says sounds disgusting, doesn't it? Especially if you think of eating small things like snails, frog's legs or so on. But in truth, there are no snails or all those animal based ingredients put inside this 'Mee Siput'.

The origin of the name actually comes from the shape of the noodles when it turns hard after being cooked or deep fried. It looks exactly like the shape of a snail's shell. To make it simpler for those that are not local (or not from Malaysia), we just put it into the snack category and called it.. "Fried Noodle Snack".

What is the taste like?

The best time to taste it, would be when it has just being deep fried and piping hot from the wok. When you put it into your mouth, you would fell the crunchy texture with each bite. It's just like eating a "keropok" or a cookie.. yummmy.
To make it taste even better, you should put some hot and spicy "sambal tumis" sauce on top of it (no need to add anchovies or prawn). The secret is to  have a sauce that is really, really hot and spicy.  By then, you won't even look around you.  Drowning in its heavenly taste. Cat can still feel the taste of it. In some places, you can buy the mee siput in its "raw" condition (uncooked). Only then, you would need to deep fry it , until the color turns golden or light brown. An easy thing to do, alas, which need you to be careful because the noodles keep popping small bubbles while it's cooking.

Time Capsule of Mee Siput

Cat still remember how the "Mee Siput" becomes a must in those days.
You save your money during lunch time, and when the bell rings, everyone will rush to the fence between our school and an elderly grand mother's house. At that time, Cat was always changing schools, following Cat's Dad each time he was transfered to a new school. Cat's last school was in a village "Parit Sakai". This old Grandmother would sell her Mee Siput by passing a newspaper cone fillled up with broken smaller pieces of the mee siput which she  top it up with lots of the spicy sauce.

  

The Present of Mee Siput

Nowadays, you can still find the mee siput. But it's not as good as what it was. Everything has been processed in factories and put in indiviual plastic cover with an even smaller packet of sauce attached. It's not eaten piping hot. In Muar, you can find it at Tanjung Emas. Also in packages. Just go to any of the carts or moving stalls. It's not as good as those made by the grandmother but it's better than nothing. The sambal / sauce plays an important role. If you are searching for those "uncooked" mee siput, you can find it in shops or the market in Muar.The part that Cat hated is cooking the mee siput. as it always "pop" and sizzle when we first put it into the cooking oil. 

Introduction of Muar: History and Etymology

Muar's name is believed to have originated and derived from its geographical location at the mouth or estuary of Muar River, the Malay words "Muara" which means eastuary or mouth of river. Muar is rich in history as mentioned in many historical records and archeological evidences. It is believed that the history of Muar started much earlier than the Sultanate of Malacca which witness the rise and fall of the empire. There were many accounts recorded and said about the history early and modern days of Muar. There are a few famous old historic legends which evolved around the area of Muar namely, Hikayat Malim Deman (Epic of Malim Deman), Legenda Lembing Awang Pulang Ke Dayang (Awang's Spear Return to Dayang Legend) and Legenda Puteri Gunung Ledang (Mount Ledang Princess' Legend).

Mee Siput!!

Hello!! Uthm staffs and students!! we are going to introduce u a kind of new snack- Mee Siput!!

it is very crispy and delicous.

quick!! buy from us start from now!!

It is only RM1 !!!