Chinese Stir Fry noodles recipe Vegetarian

It seems that my injured shoulder is recovering fairly well as I could cook this stir-fry pretty fast. While the minor injury has kept me from carrying heavy objects, it also leads me to repeat dishes that are simple and easy to prepare. This is one of them.

It is also my humble version of stir-fried udon, somewhat like the Japanese yaki-udon (yaki means grilled, broiled or pan-fried; and udon noodles are thick wheat noodles). To me this is a more convenient version as the sauce mainly consists of soy and oyster sauce.

Like cooking with a wok, I heat the balti to the point when it is just able to caramelize the foods, yet not burning them. It might be a bit tricky, but if we get it right, the wok or balti will impart flavors on the foods with its “breath”, called “wok hei 鑊氣” in Chinese. Wok hei may be best practiced in professional kitchens however, we may do it in our home kitchens too. I’m going to share some little tips.

• Ingredients
• 1 pack frozen udon noodles, ~230g
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cabbage, shredded
• 1/4 carrot, shredded or shaved into long strips
• 3-4 fresh black mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• pinch of salt to taste
• 1-2 servings

• Sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp oyster sauce (you may turn this recipe into a vegetarian dish by using vegetarian oyster sauce)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp cooking wine
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp water

Coating the noodles with a beaten egg will make them less sticky to wok

Stir-fry vegetables and mushrooms until they are about half-way cooked

Method

Thaw frozen udon noodles at room temperature; you may also move them from freezer to fridge the day before (also bring it to room temperature before cooking). Gently untangle noodles with fingers. Blot them dry if there is any excess moisture. For this recipe, I don’t suggest thawing frozen udon by boiling as the noodles might turn soggy after repeated cooking.

Mix well all ingredients for the sauce. And add beaten egg to noodles, mixing briefly. Set aside.

Heat wok over medium-high heat; add a tablespoon of oil in it. The oil shall ripple a little when the wok is heated enough (also see tip); wait a few more seconds if it does not.

Add in chopped shallot and garlic, sautéing until golden, which shall take only seconds if the wok is really hot. Toss in carrot, and black mushrooms, flipping and stirring with a turner (better use a wooden type if you cook with a cast iron wok or balti) so that all of them constantly get heated. Add cabbage, keep stir-frying them until they are about half-way cooked, 1-2 minutes. Dish up.

Wipe clean the wok with dry kitchen towel if there is any water.

Heat another tablespoon of oil in wok, add in noodles with beaten egg. As the egg is set on the downside, flip to the other side. Coated with a beaten egg, the noodles should be less sticky to wok. Keep stir-frying until noodles are heated through.

Return vegetables and mushrooms to wok, and add in the mixed sauce, stirring through evenly. Keep stir-frying until they are just cooked, adding another pinch of salt to taste. Dish up.