Penang Hokkien Mee INGREDIENTS : 1-2 lb pork ribs [Substitute : chicken stock] 1 lb med whole shrimp, save shrimp

shells & shrimp heads for stock lb flower crabs [optional] [Substitute: lb more of shrimp to make a total of 1 lb of shrimp] 1 lb yellow egg noodles [chow mein noodles] 1 lb thin rice noodles or rice vermicelli, [meifun noodles, also called beehoon] 1 large onion, quartered 10-12 cups water 1 tbsp palm sugar [Substitute: dark brown sugar] salt 5 cups bean sprouts 2 cups kangkong [also spelt kangkung] [water convolvulus, water spinach], cut into 1 inch lengths [Substitute: spinach] [optional] 6 hard-boiled eggs, halved for garnish [optional] 3 fried fish cakes. sliced [optional] 10 shallots, finely sliced and fried in oil till golden brown [Cool and keep in air tight container if not used immediately] 1 cup peanut or vegetable oil 1 tbsp palm sugar [Substitute: dark brown sugar] salt 1 cup chili paste 4 large cloves garlic

8 shallots