The Best YAKISOBA Recipe at Home! | Japanese Stir Fry Noodles

Summary

In this episode of 'Chance Japanese Kitchen,' viewers are treated to a tutorial on making yakisoba, a beloved Japanese dish. The video covers the preparation of a homemade sauce using Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a mirin substitute. Key ingredients like cabbage, carrot, onion, ginger, and garlic are expertly chopped and cooked. The noodles are boiled and then fried to achieve a crispy exterior. The dish is completed with the addition of bean sprouts and a garnish of nori, promising a flavorful and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.

Takeaways

• 🍜 Today's recipe is for yakisoba, a popular Japanese dish that is perfect for quick meals and gatherings.
• 🍶 Japanese cooking sake and mirin are used, but wine and sugar can be used as substitutes.
• 🥣 The sauce for yakisoba includes Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and mirin substitute.
• 🔪 A good knife is essential for a chef, and the video mentions handcrafted Japanese knives made with Damascus steel.
• 🥬 Key ingredients include cabbage, carrot, onion, ginger, and garlic, all prepared in specific cuts.
• 🍳 The pork is fried with ginger until cooked, and then set aside for later use.
• 🍝 The noodles are boiled first to make them chewier, then drained and mixed with oil to prevent sticking.
• 🍳 A frying pan is used to combine the noodles, vegetables, pork, and sauce, creating a charred and crispy exterior.
• 🌱 Bean sprouts and water are added at the end to steam, adding a fresh element to the dish.
• 🍘 Nori or dried seaweed is used as a garnish to add umami flavor to the finished yakisoba.

Q & A

What is the main dish being prepared in the video?

The main dish being prepared in the video is yakisoba, a popular Japanese dish.

What does 'yakisoba' mean in Japanese?

In Japanese, 'yaki' means fry and 'soba' means noodles, so 'yakisoba' refers to fried noodles.

What are some occasions where yakisoba is enjoyed in Japan?

Yakisoba is enjoyed in Japan for various occasions such as children's dinner after school, summer festivals, or as a quick meal with friends and family.

What substitutes are suggested for Japanese cooking sake and mirin?

If sake and mirin are not available, they can be substituted with wine and a mixture of wine with sugar for mirin, specifically 50 milliliters of wine with one tablespoon of sugar.

How is the actuma sauce prepared for yakisoba?

The actuma sauce is prepared by mixing 50 milliliters of Worcestershire sauce, 20 milliliters of soy sauce, 20 grams of oyster sauce, and 1 tablespoon of mirin substitute (or one teaspoon of sugar if not using mirin substitute).

What is the significance of a good knife in the video, and how can one get a similar one?

A good knife is essential for a chef, and the video mentions handcrafted Japanese knives made with Damascus steel and a black laminated wooden handle. Viewers can upgrade their cooking skills with these knives, and they can be found through the link in the video description.

What are the key ingredients used in the yakisoba recipe?

The key ingredients used in the yakisoba recipe include cabbage, carrot, onion, ginger, garlic, thinly sliced pork, noodles, and the actuma sauce.

How are the noodles prepared before frying in the recipe?

The noodles are boiled for about 30 seconds, then drained and mixed with one teaspoon of oil to prevent sticking and to make them chewier.

What is the alternative noodle suggested if the specific noodles are not available?

If the specific noodles are not available, 1.8 millimeter spaghetti can be used as a replacement, boiled with salt and baking powder to mimic the texture.

How are the vegetables cooked in the yakisoba recipe?

The vegetables, including cabbage, carrot, onion, and garlic, are stir-fried in a pan with oil until cooked, ensuring they do not burn by constant stirring.

What is added at the end of the cooking process to enhance the dish?

At the end of the cooking process, 50 grams of bean sprouts and 50 milliliters of water are added to steam the bean sprouts, and dried seaweed (nori) is used as a final touch for extra umami flavor.