Chee cheong fun are silky steamed rice noodle sheets rolled around a savory filling, then drizzled with a glossy sweet soy sauce. In Malaysia they're a popular breakfast and dim sum item, prized for their tender, almost translucent texture. This version features seasoned shrimp and a richly flavored kecap manis sauce that balances salty, sweet, and umami.
Prep Time25 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
Yield4 servings
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (estimated)
- 340 kcalCalories
- 9 gFat
- 1.5 gSaturated Fat
- 48 gCarbs
- 1 gFiber
- 11 gSugar
- 17 gProtein
- 780 mgSodium
- 220 mgPotassium
- 65 mgCalcium
- 2.5 mgIron
- 6 mgVitamin C
- 180 mcgVitamin A
Ingredients
For the rice noodle batter
- 1 cup (130 g) rice flour
- 2 tbsp tapioca starch
- 1 tbsp wheat starch (or cornstarch)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) cold water
- 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil, plus more for brushing
For the shrimp filling
- 200 g medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten (optional)
For the sweet soy sauce
- 3 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
For garnish
- 1 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced
Directions
- Whisk rice flour, tapioca starch, wheat starch, salt, and water in a bowl until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Stir in 1 tablespoon oil, cover, and let the batter rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Prepare the filling: heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic until fragrant (about 20 seconds), then add the chopped shrimp. Cook 2 minutes until just pink, stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the sweet sauce: combine kecap manis, light soy sauce, hoisin, sugar, water, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1 minute until glossy and thickened. Keep warm.
- Set up a steamer with a wide flat surface and bring the water to a rolling boil. Lightly brush a shallow rimmed metal pan or specialty steaming tray (about 12 x 8 inches) with oil.
- Pour a scant 1/3 cup batter onto the oiled tray and swirl to create a thin, even layer. Place in the steamer and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until the surface looks set and slightly translucent.
- Spoon a line of shrimp filling (and a thin drizzle of beaten egg, if using) across the center of the noodle sheet. Using a flat spatula, lift one short edge and roll up the sheet into a tight log. Slide onto a warmed serving plate and cover loosely to keep soft.
- Repeat the steaming and rolling process with the remaining batter and filling, lightly oiling the tray between batches.
- Spoon the warm sweet sauce generously over the rolls, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and sliced chili. Serve immediately while hot and silky.
Cook’s Notes
- Batter consistency is critical: it should resemble thin cream. If too thick, the rolls turn gummy; if too thin, they tear when rolled.
- Always strain the batter to remove lumps, since any grit will create holes in the delicate noodle sheet.
- Brush the steaming tray with oil between every batch, or the rolls will stick and tear when you try to lift them.
- Eat the rolls fresh from the steamer; they firm up and lose their silky glide as they cool.
- For a more traditional Malaysian touch, swap shrimp for sliced Chinese sausage (lap cheong) or char siu pork.










