Name: Singapore Economy Fried Bee Hoon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 200g Vermicelli or Bee Hoon, soaked; 1-2 cloves Garlic; 1/2 Onion; 1/2 Carrot, julienned; 1/2 a Cabbage, shredded; 1/4 cup Water; Spring Onions, for garnishing; 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce; 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce; 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce; 1 tsp White Pepper; 1/2 cup Water (or Stock)

How to make Singapore Economy Fried Bee Hoon or Stir Fried Fried Rice Vermicelli.

This Singapore Economy Fried Bee Hoon or Rice Vermicelli is a simple dish of bee hoon stir fried with vegetables and seasonings. It is served with a selection of toppings or side dishes of choice, such as fried eggs, tofu, stir fried vegetables, fried chicken, fried hotdogs and fishcakes… the options are endless!

The economy fried bee hoon is usually a slightly darker stir fry, but you can also find white versions of it too.

Although this may sold all-day long at the hawker stalls, this is still reserved for breakfast time at home. Due to this, it has to be a quick and easy meal to make! This is how you can make Economy Fried Bee Hoon in just 20 minutes.

What the heck is ‘Economy’ Fried Bee Hoon?

Indeed, in Singapore we call this Economy Fried Bee Hoon, because it’s suppose to be sold very cheaply! This is typically served as a breakfast dish, although today we see this being sold all day (and all night) long.

It’s called “economy fried bee hoon” because it’s sold at “economy” stalls in Singapore. The pricing varies, depending on what you pick and choose. Fried Bee Hoon is always a staple as a base carbohydrate. Other carbohydrates that you might find include fried yellow noodles, fried kway teow noodles, sometimes fried rice – although noodles are a much common option.

As you can guess by its name, it’s suppose to be cheap! The Bee Hoon is made very simply, and with minimal ingredients. Then you pick and choose your own toppings. The final cost depends on what toppings you pick. Funnily enough, your dish might not be that “economical”, especially if you choose high-ticket toppings!

How to Prepare Rice Vermicelli

Bee Hoon or Rice Vermicelli noodles are sold dry, and you’ll need to prep it before using it.

My go-to method of prepping it is to pour hot water over the noodles, and let it hang out for 10 minutes or so, or until it becomes soft and malleable. Drain the noodles and rinse with water to stop the cooking process. That’s it!

You can also use boiling water as well for a quicker noodle, but make sure you only let it soak for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Immediately drain and rinse with water to stop the cooking process. This is to ensure you do not overcook the noodles as this will cause it to break easily when you are stir frying.

I’ve read recipes that require you to soak them in room temperature water for an hour otherwise you risk breaking the noodles… no! We don’t have 1 hour in the morning to soak noodles!

Can I use other Noodles besides vermicelli?

Of course! As mentioned, bee hoon is one of the staple carb options, but other carbs include yellow hokkien noodles, rice wide noodles or kway teow.

You can easily replace the bee hoon (and skip the prep step) with your noodle of choice.

How to Make Easy Economy Fried Bee Hoon

1. Soak the rice vermicelli until soft

Soak the rice vermicelli until it softens.

2. Pre-mix the Seasoning Sauce

Combine all the ingredients for the seasoning sauce in a bowl first.

The seasonings are simple, and easily available in Asian pantries:

Light Soy Sauce
Dark Soy Sauce
Oyster Sauce
White Pepper

That’s it! This is a darker fried bee hoon, but if you prefer the white version, simply omit the dark soy sauce. You can also just use fish sauce.

3. Stir fry the carrots and cabbages first to soften

Cook the carrots and cabbages first, to allow them to soften and cook down. Add water to create a steaming effect, so that the vegetables cook quicker without burning.

If you prefer crunchier vegetables, simply skip adding water and steaming and proceed with the next step.

4. Add seasoning sauce and rice vermicelli

Add the sauce and vermicelli noodles once vegetables are cooked to your preference.

You would notice water is added with the other seasoning sauces.

This is to create a more liquid sauce – this is helpful when you’re tossing it through the rice vermicelli! Not only will the flavours absorb easily to the noodles, you’ll find that the liquid will allow easier tossing of the noodles with the sauce.

5. Toss to combine. Done!

Simply toss until the seasoning sauce is fully absorbed by the noodles and done!

What to Serve Economy Fried Bee Hoon With?

At the ‘economy’ hawker stalls, the standard toppings that you can find include fried eggs, tofu, stir fried vegetables, fried chicken, fried hotdogs and fishcakes. At home, you can replicate these easily too!

My favourite way is to fry up some eggs, and oven toast or air fry the rest of the toppings, depending on what I have in my freezer. Nuggets, fishcakes, otah are some of my easy freezer favourites.

An important ingredient personally, would be a dollop of delicious, spicy sambal at the side! Use your favourite spicy sauce, or try making my Sambal recipe!

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