Indonesian Curried Noodles with Shrimp

Published: March 29, 2020 • Modified: February 22, 2022 • by Author: Analida • Word count:1390 words. • About 7 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links.

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Make Indonesian curry noodles with shrimp on any given night to add some ethnic flair to your table.

I've been having a lot of fun lately learning about all the different types of curries throughout Asia. Curry varies from country to country throughout South East Asia. In Indonesia it varies from island to island. So, by now you've probably guessed that curry is somewhat of an umbrella term. The word curry comes the Tamil word kari.

Curry in Indonesia

In Indonesia the word used for a meal containing a curry-like sauce is gulai. Basically, gulai is also a general term for a type of food containing a rich, spicy, and curry-like sauce. Gulai is simmered in coconut milk and a spice mixture. It can be vegetarian or contain poultry or beef.

An island of flavor

Indonesian food has haunting aromas of spices, chilies, and coconut milk. It is a true a "symphony of flavors" if I may use the term. Being an island, Indonesia's cuisine is dictated by availability of ingredients, which are often humble. Nevertheless, the resulting flavor profiles are outstanding and produce simple yet impressive meals. My niece's husband, Jufi, is from Indonesia, and he happens to be an amazing chef. For all the family gatherings, the burning question is: "What is Jufi making?" LOL! Needless to say, what he brings is always amazing.

A fusion of flavors

Indonesian Curried Noodles with shrimp is such an interesting dish because the fusion of flavors is out of this world: sweet, salty, savory. YUMMM! This Asian noodles recipe is similar to Singapore noodles (which really aren't from Singapore), go figure! You can use egg or rice noodles without sacrificing taste.For this recipe I am using rice noodles, but egg noodles will work just fine. If you're trying to cut the carbs all together, you can probably do zucchini noodles if you have a spiralizer. Not the same taste though.

The mighty tamarind

Ok, so here's an ingredient in Indonesian food, that you might not have in your pantry: tamarind paste. Tamarind is a tropical fruit that grows in pods with a tangy pulpy fruit inside. The name comes from the Persian tamar hindi meaning "date of India" The tamarind is native to East Africa, its natural acidity makes it a great ingredient for marinating meats. Worcestershire sauce anybody? Yes, there is tamarind in Worcestershire sauce.

On another historical note, tamarind was used by Arab physicians in antiquity and also features in Hindu mythology where it is associated with the wedding of the Hindu god Krishna.

Indonesian curried noodles with shrimp is a great weeknight meal. If you want to be truly authentic serve this dish along with a small dish of serundeng, a spicy condiment made with shredded coconut, roasted peanuts and spices. It is typical at the Indonesian table and adds a bit of heat and texture to many dishes.

Step by step photos to make Indonesian curried noodles with shrimp:

Gather all your ingredients and have then measured, chopped, minced and ready to go. Make the rice noodles according to the package instructions then rinse in cold water to them to keep from sticking. See the FAQ below for more detailed instructions on preparing rice noodles.
Combine the spices and salt: curry, cumin, turmeric, ground coriander and salt.
In a small bowl combine the tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice.
Heat the vegetable oil in a wok on medium heat and sauté the shallots, garlic and ginger until the shallot are translucent. Once translucent add the coconut milk and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the dry spice and salt mixture then add the shrimp and cook for about two minutes until the shrimp start to get firm.
Add the tamarind paste mixture then stir in.
Add the rice noodles to the wok.
Stir well to fully coat the noodles in the sauce. Serve with chopped cilantro, lime wedges and chopped peanuts.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long can I store the Indonesian curry in the refrigerator? Once the dish has cooled you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
How do I reheat the curried noodles? Reheat the noodles in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stop to stir every 30-45 seconds until hot. Once reheated do not cool and store again in the refrigerator, consume it right away. So only reheat the amount you will consume.
Can I freeze the Indonesian curried noodles? No, the coconut milk will tend to split and separate when thawed and have an unpleasant texture.
How do I prepare the rice noodles if the package instructions are not written in English? Yep, I have seen that on many rice noodles available in the Asian markets. The method I use is to boil some water, pour this over the dry noodles to just submerge them in a large bowl. Let them sit for about 5 minutes or until al dente. Rinse them with cool water in a colander to stop the cooking process and set aside.

If you like curry dishes, then you need to take a look at these:

Thai Red Curry Chicken: a delicious blend of spices, along with tamarind paste, and red curry paste. Serve with jasmine rice.

Did you know you can make your own curry at home? Check out this recipe for DIY curry.

One of my favorite flavor combinations is coconut curry. If you like this flavor profile, then you will love my coconut curry chicken.

Chicken Xacuti - A spicy Indian chicken curry that hails from Goa.

Chicken Amok - A Cambodian chicken curry dish with notes of lemongrass, tangy shallots, and creamy coconut.

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