Yakisoba (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles with Pork)
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: Thinly sliced pork, shredded cabbage and matchstick carrot cook quickly over medium-high heat, keeping the whole dish weeknight-friendly.
- Simple, savoury sauce: Soy sauce brings salt and umami, while Worcestershire sauce adds tang and depth without needing a long simmer.
- Good noodle texture: Cooking the noodles slightly under the packet time lets them finish in the wok, so they stay springy rather than soft.
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Authenticity notes
- Casual Japanese style: Yakisoba is strongly associated with Japanese casual cooking and festival-style food, usually served hot with a glossy savoury sauce and simple toppings.
- Flexible additions: Pork, cabbage and carrot are classic everyday choices, but yakisoba is often adapted with different vegetables or minced pork depending on what is available.
Ingredient notes
- Choose the right noodles: Stir-fry wheat noodles or yakisoba-style noodles work best because they can be tossed in the pan without breaking down.
- Sauce balance: Worcestershire sauce gives the dish its tangy edge; replacing it with extra soy sauce makes the flavour deeper and saltier but less bright.
- Slice pork thinly: Cutting the pork thinly across the grain helps it cook quickly and stay tender in the short stir-fry.
Common mistakes
- Boiling the noodles too long: Avoid cooking the noodles fully in the saucepan; they need enough structure to finish heating through with the sauce in the wok.
- Using too low a heat: Medium-high heat helps the vegetables soften while keeping some bite. Too low a heat can make them steam and turn limp.
- Letting the noodles dry out: If the sauce tightens too much while tossing, add a small splash of water to loosen the noodles without making the dish watery.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Cook the noodles for 1 minute less than the packet suggests, then drain well in a colander and rinse briefly to stop them sticking.
- Slice the pork thinly across the grain. Thinly slice the onion, cut the carrot into fine matchsticks, and shred the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Slice the spring onions and set aside for finishing.
- Heat a wok (or large frying pan) over medium-high heat. Add the pork and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned and just cooked through.
- Add the onion and carrot and stir-fry for 2 minutes until starting to soften. Add the cabbage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted but still a little crisp.
- Add the drained noodles and pour over the sauce. Toss and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the noodles are hot and evenly coated, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen.
- Divide between bowls and top with the spring onion and pickled ginger. Serve straight away while piping hot.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the noodles slightly undercooked when boiling so they finish cooking in the wok without turning soft.
- Slice the pork as thinly as you can so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
- If you are serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the pork is cooked through and piping hot before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Pork loin roast boneless with minced pork for a more street-style texture; cook it until browned and no longer pink before adding the vegetables.
- Replace Green cabbage with napa cabbage for a softer, sweeter finish.
- Replace Worcestershire sauce with extra Soy sauce for a deeper savoury flavour, noting the dish will be less tangy.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a wok or large frying pan over medium heat with a small splash of water, tossing until piping hot throughout.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 25min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Japanese
-
Allergens:
Gluten Soybeans Wheat
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