I used to ask the origin of the name 'Caluek' for this noodle, in my mother's family the Pidie. He said 'Caluek' means taking a hand. So, formerly the seller of Mie Caluek, mixing all the ingredients directly by hand. But now it's rare even hardly anymore like that. For the sake of hygiene, the seller of Caluek Noodles already uses spoons to mix ingredients and spices. But still, scooping noodles onto a plate or a package, the seller's hands keep touching the 😀 noodles
Generally the noodles used for the basic ingredients of Mie Caluek are lidi noodles, where the shape of the noodles is bigger than the yellow noodles. So do not be surprised if Mie Caluek sometimes like to be called as 'Spaghetti ala Aceh'. However, there are also Caluek Noodles made from vermicelli or yellow noodles. I personally prefer Mie Caluek with noodle stick. Peanut seasoning will feel more sticky and seep with noodles stick. The addition is usually vegetable or urap and 'kampong' crackers in red and white. This is also what distinguishes Mie Aceh with Mie Caluek, namely kerupuknya. If Mie Aceh is synonymous with melinjo crackers, then the complement of Mie Caluek is the 'red' white village crackers. Just like crackers for pecal. I call it 'kampung' crackers because these crackers are very cheap and often used as a complement to many street hawkers.
Because it comes from Pidie, reportedly Mie Caluek is the most delicious Cake Malu is indeed sold in Pidie, especially in Grong Grong area. When crossing the northern crossroads of Aceh, do not forget to stop at the District Grong Grong and enjoy Mie Caluek made directly by the Pidie. At the side of the road where the trajectory of vehicles, there are so many vendors Mie Caluek.
How about not passing Pidie? In Banda Aceh there are also selling Mie Caluek although not as busy as the seller of Mie Caluek in Pidie District. Yes, this is a bit different from the one in Pidie whose snack is dominated by Mie Caluek and there every day. While in Banda Aceh, Mie Caluek snacks will appear in the month of fasting. Outside of the fasting month, you can find it at food vendors who hang out in Blang Padang or Pasar Aceh. Usually the sellers of Mie Caluek in Kota Banda Aceh are those from Pidie as well.