200g soba noodles

6 large tiger prawns, peeled (heads reserved)

100g kale

2 eggs

2 Thai shallots, finely sliced

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

The Dressing

2 stalks lemongrass

1 thumb-sized piece galangal

1 thumb-sized piece fresh turmeric

2 Thai shallots

1 red chilli

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

To Finish

Crispy fried shallots

Lime wedges

PREPARATION

COOKING

1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and cook the eggs for 6 minutes, then transfer immediately to iced water to cool.

2. Peel the prawns, reserving the heads, and finely chop the lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, shallots and chilli.

3. Pound or blend the lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, shallots and chilli into a coarse rempah paste.

4. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok and fry the reserved prawn heads until fragrant, then strain and reserve the flavoured oil.

5. Fry the sliced shallots in a little of the prawn oil until golden and crisp, then remove and drain on kitchen paper.

6. Cook the soba noodles according to the packet instructions, then rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly.

7. Toss the cooked noodles with a spoonful of the prawn-infused oil to prevent sticking and add extra flavour.

8. Deep fry or roast the kale until crisp, then set aside to cool and retain its crunch.

9. Carefully deep fry the peeled soft-boiled eggs for about 1 minute until lightly golden and crisp on the outside.

10. Heat a wok over high heat and stir fry the prawns until just cooked through, then remove from the heat immediately.

11. Fry the rempah paste briefly until aromatic, then toss through the soba noodles together with the prawns until evenly coated.

12. Serve topped with the crispy kale, deep-fried eggs, crispy shallots and a squeeze of fresh lime.

School of Wok Tips

 Don't waste prawn heads—they create a wonderfully rich flavoured oil.

 Fresh turmeric stains easily, so wear gloves if preferred.

 Rinse soba noodles in cold water to stop them overcooking and improve texture.

 Deep-fried soft-boiled eggs add a fantastic crispy exterior and jammy centre.

FAQs

What is rempah?

Rempah is a Southeast Asian spice paste made from fresh aromatics such as shallots, chilli, lemongrass and spices.

Can I use another noodle?

Yes, rice noodles or egg noodles work well if soba noodles aren't available.

Can I make this without deep frying?

Absolutely. The kale can be roasted and the eggs served soft-boiled if you prefer a lighter version.