Char Kway Teow
Flat rice noodles stir-fried over high heat with egg, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, chives, prawns, cockles, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. A hawker center staple with smoke from the wok essential to its flavor.
Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.
Your dietary restrictions
The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.
Full allergen breakdown
Ingredients
- flat rice noodles (kway teow) (Gluten)
- egg (Egg)
- prawns (Shellfish)
- cockles (kerang)
- Chinese sausage (lap cheong)
- bean sprouts
- chives
- soy sauce (Soy)
- dark soy sauce (Soy)
- oyster sauce (Shellfish)
- lard or oil
Hidden Ingredients
These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.
- cockles (blood clams/kerang) — shellfish
- prawns
- oyster sauce (shellfish)
- egg wok-fried throughout
- Chinese sausage sometimes contains soy and preservatives
- traditionally cooked in lard
Allergen Breakdown
Dairy-Free
Likely OKNo dairy in char kway teow.
Gluten-Free
Likely contains restrictionSoy sauce and dark soy sauce contain wheat. Rice noodles themselves are gluten-free but the sauces are not.
Peanut-Free
Likely OKNo peanuts in char kway teow.
Tree Nut-Free
Likely OKNo tree nuts in char kway teow.
Shellfish-Free
Likely contains restrictionPrawns, cockles (kerang), and oyster sauce all contain shellfish.
Egg-Free
Likely contains restrictionEgg is wok-fried directly into the noodles as a core ingredient.
Fish-Free
Likely OKNo fish in standard char kway teow. Chinese sausage is pork-based.
Soy-Free
Likely contains restrictionSoy sauce and dark soy sauce are primary seasonings.
Sesame-Free
Likely OKNo sesame in standard char kway teow.
Vegetarian
Likely contains restrictionContains prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage (pork), and oyster sauce.
| Restriction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Likely OK | No dairy in char kway teow. |
| Gluten-Free | Likely contains restriction | Soy sauce and dark soy sauce contain wheat. Rice noodles themselves are gluten-free but the sauces are not. |
| Peanut-Free | Likely OK | No peanuts in char kway teow. |
| Tree Nut-Free | Likely OK | No tree nuts in char kway teow. |
| Shellfish-Free | Likely contains restriction | Prawns, cockles (kerang), and oyster sauce all contain shellfish. |
| Egg-Free | Likely contains restriction | Egg is wok-fried directly into the noodles as a core ingredient. |
| Fish-Free | Likely OK | No fish in standard char kway teow. Chinese sausage is pork-based. |
| Soy-Free | Likely contains restriction | Soy sauce and dark soy sauce are primary seasonings. |
| Sesame-Free | Likely OK | No sesame in standard char kway teow. |
| Vegetarian | Likely contains restriction | Contains prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage (pork), and oyster sauce. |
Key risk: Char kway teow is a masterclass in allergen stacking. Everything is wok-fried together and cannot be separated: egg is mixed throughout, prawns and cockles add two types of shellfish, oyster sauce adds a third shellfish allergen, and soy sauce adds soy and wheat. All of this happens in one hot wok in under 3 minutes.
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Scan a menu nowImportant: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.