Yakisoba Japanese Style Fried Noodles

Irene's Cookery
by Irene's Cookery
2 Servings
20 min

Perhaps one of Japan’s best-known street foods, Yakisoba (焼きそば) literally means “grilled noodles.” It’s thought to have originated from Chinese cuisine and became a popular fast-food meal in the black markets that popped up around Japan after the war. In an era when food was in short supply, and the country was busy rebuilding, the basic ingredients needed to make yakisoba, and the possibility of preparing it on large steel griddles called a teppan (鉄板), made it ideally suited for these makeshift outdoor markets. Noodles are cooked with sliced pork and plenty of vegetables, then coated with a special sauce. What distinguishes Yakisoba from other Asian stir-fried noodles is this special sauce, which is sweet and a little bit spicy.

Stir frying up a plate of Yakisoba noodles

Doesn't it look gorgeous?

Yakisoba noodles before the Fairy Godmother aka me did her magic icon

Yakisoba Japanese Style Fried Noodles
Recipe details
  • 2  Servings
  • Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 10 Minutes Total time: 20 min
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Ingredients

  • Yakisoba noodles: 2 servings
  • Sesame oil: 1 tablespoon
  • Onion, sliced thinly: 1/2
  • Pork belly, thinly sliced: 300 grams
  • Spring onion, cut into 2-inch lengths: 1 sprig
  • Cabbage, chopped: 65 grams
  • Carrot, sliced thinly: 25 grams
  • Mixed peppers, sliced thinly: 35 grams
  • Sake: 4 tablespoons
  • Black pepper: Pinch
  • Nori seaweed: For garnish
Yakisoba sauce:
  • Worcestershire sauce: 4 tablespoons
  • Oyster sauce: 4 teaspoons
  • Ketchup: 4 teaspoons
  • Soya sauce: 2 teaspoons
  • Sugar: 1 - 2 teaspoons
Instructions

Rinse yakisoba noodles in hot water to separate the noodles. Drain well in a sieve.
Mix the sauce ingredients until well combined. Taste and adjust to preference.
Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and pork belly cooking, until onions soften and the pork turns white. Add all the vegetables and stir fry for about 2 minutes.
Add sake, yakisoba sauce and yakisoba noodles, stir frying everything rapidly to mix well.
Garnish with black pepper and nori, and serve immediately.
Tips
  • Yakisoba noodles are yellow noodles made from ramen noodles that are steamed and coated slightly in oil so that they cook faster and it is easier to separate each strand of noodle when stir frying. If you can't find them, you can substitute them with Japanese ramen noodles or Chinese yellow noodles.
  • Yakisoba is very easy to make, and you can add almost any ingredient to make it your style. Try it with seafood, or a simple vegetarian style is fabulous for Meatless Mondays!
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Comments
  • Connie G Connie G on Sep 16, 2020

    Yakisoba is something my family and I ate often while living in Japan. I was so happy to find this recipe. It tastes like the Yakisoba we had in Japan. It is easy to make and the sauce makes it taste great.

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