Yakisoba literally translates to “fried noodles.” I had never heard of it until I moved to Jacksonville, NC. It is a favorite among Marines – in fact, it is served on many bases both in the U.S. and abroad. I discovered it when I went to the little Japanese fast food place down the street. The first time I ordered it, it was so delicious that I am now hooked! In fact, I cooked it last night for dinner.
In Japan, yakisoba is often sold at festivals. It consists of noodles (similar to ramen noodles), steak or chicken, and vegetables like carrots or onions. If you have never heard of yakisoba and want to try it, here is a great recipe!
Yakisoba
For this recipe, you will need sesame oil, one half pound of sirloin steak, minced garlic, minced ginger, 4 ounces of fresh mushrooms, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, and either ramen noodles or noodles specifically made for yakisoba (you can usually find these in the oriental section of the grocery store).
Trim the fat off your steak and cut it into small squares. Shred one carrot and cut the mushrooms into very thin slices. Trim and slice the green onions. Bring a large pot of water to boil then reduce slightly to keep the water warm. Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in wok over medium heat. Add the steak to the wok then add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of minced ginger. Stir-fry that until the meat is no longer pink. Add the sliced mushrooms, 1/4 cup of shredded carrots, and 3 sliced green onions. Allow that to cook for 2 minutes. Drop your noodles in the boiling water and let them cook for 1 to 2 minutes until done. Drain when finished. Add the noodles, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper to the wok and stir-fry for another minute.
-This Yakisoba contains cabbage too!