Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (2024)

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Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (1)

by: Sarah

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Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (2)

I’m particularly excited about this chicken yakisoba recipe, because it used to be one of my go-to’s at Japanese restaurants, before I discovered that I reallylike sushi.

Every time I go to a Japanese restaurant now, I kind of stop and gaze wistfully at the yakisoba on the menu before ordering my usual rolls or sashimi. So I figured I’d make it at home, because that was the only way I was going to get it!

Note: This recipe was originally published in April 2016, newly updated as of July 2019!

What Yakisoba Noodles To Use

There’s something special about the texture of a good yakisoba noodle––that slight chewiness that every great noodle should have.

While they haven’t paid us to endorse them or anything, I woulddefinitely recommend the noodles made by the Sun Noodle company. Their yakisoba (and ramen noodles) are some of the best I’ve tried!

I bought a pack of noodles that actually came with a seasoning packet that I didn’t end up using, but I think that they also sell the noodles separately, without any additional seasonings.

Note that while most yakisoba noodles do not require pre-cooking, they can be difficult to break up right out of the package. When you take them out, they can be in a sort of “brick” that is hard to separate when stir-frying.

Simply rinse the noodles briefly in a bowl of hot water to loosen them, and gently break them up. Drain thoroughly, and they’re ready for stir-frying!

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (3)

A Surprising Ingredient

One slightly surprising, yet essential ingredient in this chicken yakisoba recipe is Worcestershire sauce.

As I was doing my research, I noticed Worcestershire sauce showing up again and again in several different [probably Americanized] Japanese dishes.

I was a little skeptical, but when I tasted it, I knew it was correct. The Worcestershire sauce adds that signature flavor and tang that you know and love in a good yakisoba.

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (4)

On to the recipe!

Chicken Yakisoba Recipe Instructions

Remove the yakisoba noodles from the package, and transfer to a bowl of hot water. Gently break them up; the hot water will help loosen them. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar until thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, combine the sliced chicken with 2teaspoons cornstarch and 2teaspoons oil. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over high heat. Add the chicken in one layer and allow to sear for 1 minute. Stir-fry for another minute, remove from the wok, and set aside.

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (5)

Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the wok, along with the shiitake mushrooms.

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (6)

Stir-fry for 2 minutes and then add the onions, carrots, and cabbage. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes, and then add the noodles, seared chicken, scallions, and the sauce mixture.

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (7)

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (8)

Continue to stir-fry the mixture for another 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through.

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (9)

Serve your chicken yakisoba hot!

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (10)

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (11)

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (12)

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4.73 from 36 votes

Chicken Yakisoba

Chicken Yakisoba is a popular Japanese noodle stir-fry that's super easy to make at home. Our recipe also has a ton of fresh vegetables in it!

by: Sarah

Course:Noodles and Pasta

Cuisine:Japanese

Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (13)

serves: 4 servings

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 12 oz. fresh yakisoba noodles (340g)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 8 oz. sliced chicken thighs or breast (225g)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons oil (plus 2 teaspoons, divided)
  • 6 fresh shiitake mushrooms (thinly sliced)
  • 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 medium carrot (julienned)
  • 2 cups cabbage (julienned)
  • 2 scallions (julienned)

Instructions

  • Remove the yakisoba noodles from the package, and transfer to a bowl of hot water. Gently break them up; the hot water will help loosen them. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

  • In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar until thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, combine the sliced chicken with 2 teaspoons cornstarch and 2 teaspoons oil. Set aside.

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over high heat. Add the chicken in one layer and allow to sear for 1 minute. Stir-fry for another minute, remove from the wok, and set aside.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the wok, along with the shiitake mushrooms. Stir-fry for 2 minutes and then add the onions, carrots, and cabbage. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes, and then add the noodles, seared chicken, scallions, and the sauce mixture. Continue to stir-fry the mixture for another 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through. Serve!

nutrition facts

Calories: 368kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 42g (14%) Protein: 17g (34%) Fat: 15g (23%) Saturated Fat: 1g (5%) Cholesterol: 54mg (18%) Sodium: 950mg (40%) Potassium: 395mg (11%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugar: 8g (9%) Vitamin A: 2655IU (53%) Vitamin C: 17.2mg (21%) Calcium: 35mg (4%) Iron: 1.1mg (6%)

nutritional info disclaimer

TheWoksofLife.com is written and produced for informational purposes only. While we do our best to provide nutritional information as a general guideline to our readers, we are not certified nutritionists, and the values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. Various online calculators also provide different results, depending on their sources. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.

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Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (18)

About Sarah

Sarah is the older daughter/sister in The Woks of Life family. Creator of quick and easy recipes for harried home cooks and official Woks of Life photographer, she grew up on episodes of Ready Set Cook and Good Eats. She loves the outdoors (and of course, *cooking* outside), and her obsession with food continues to this day.

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Chicken Yakisoba: A Quick, Authentic Japanese Recipe - The Woks of Life (2024)

FAQs

What does yakisoba mean in Japanese? ›

Yakisoba (Japanese: 焼きそば, [jakiꜜsoba], transl. 'fried noodle'), is a Japanese noodle stir-fried dish. Usually, soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour, but soba in yakisoba are Chinese-style noodles (chuuka soba) made from wheat flour, typically flavored with a condiment similar to Worcestershire sauce.

What is chicken yakisoba made of? ›

This Chicken Yakisoba is a quick stir fry, made with soba noodles, chicken, prawns and egg. The dish is all finished off with a sprinkling of crispy onions and slices of pickled ginger for a bit of fresh heat.

What is the difference between chicken yakisoba and chicken lo mein? ›

Lo mein is similar to yakisoba, the dish our noodles were designed for, but the sauce is as simple as oyster sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce, rather than a more complex, fruit-based concoction you find with yakisoba.

Is yakisoba made in a wok? ›

We used pre-cooked yakisoba noodles but you can use fresh or dry noodles, or ramen as well. Use a big wok or a griddle to cook everything. Typically a nice char on the veggies is what you're going for, because this will add great flavors.

What is the difference between yakitori and yakisoba? ›

Yakitori refers to pieces of chicken meat on skewers of wood. This can be enjoyed with only salt Yakitori Shio (salt) or Syoyuu (soy sauce/teriyaki sauce). Yakisoba is noodles stir fried with some vegetables and garnished with laver.

Are yakisoba noodles healthy? ›

Udon, ramen, yakisoba and somen noodle are all made from white flour and can be made with bleached refined flour which doesn't have many nutrients and high GI – a recipe for overweight and disease!

Which is healthier yakisoba or udon? ›

Which is Healthier, Udon or Soba? With its wholegrain like appearance and buckwheat heavy base, Soba is the healthier choice when it comes to your Asian noodle game. This is because buckwheat is lower in carbohydrates and lower in calories so it's a good choice for those trying to cut back.

What is special about yakisoba? ›

Yakisoba's irresistible appeal lay in its perfect balance of flavors, textures, and its humble origins. The true magic, however, lies in the sauce. There are many different recipes, but yakisoba sauce has been refined over generations, and is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy.

What's the difference between yakisoba and ramen? ›

So while yakisoba is this sizzling, stir fried, big bowl of crispy noodles, ramen is a really comforting, like, soul warming bowl of noodles with broth. and a wide array of toppings.

Can I substitute spaghetti for yakisoba noodles? ›

Yakisoba noodles: While fresh yakisoba noodles are ideal, they can be hard to come by. Dried chow mein stir-fry noodles make an excellent substitute. You can also use spaghetti. Remember, if using dried noodles, you'll need about half the amount in weight.

What makes Lo Mein taste so good? ›

Lo mein typically consists of fully cooked noodles that are tossed with a variety of vegetables, proteins, such as chicken, beef, pork, seafood or tofu and a flavorful sauce. The key to a delicious lo mein dish is the combination of textures and flavors from the fresh ingredients.

What is a wok called in Japan? ›

In Japan, the wok is called a chūkanabe (中華鍋, literally "Chinese pot").

Is a wok Chinese or Japanese? ›

With strong Asian roots, the wok dates back to the Chinese Han dynasty. Traditionally it is a round-bottomed, high-walled pan, although flat-bottomed versions are gaining popularity as they can be used on standard ranges. It is commonly designed with either two side handles or one long handle.

What does Japanese yakisoba taste like? ›

Yakisoba sauce is a sweet, savory, and tangy mix of soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings. Some yakisoba sauce recipes include oyster sauce, which has a more rich umami flavor. I also added sriracha to my yakisoba sauce because I like things a little spicy!

Why is it called yakisoba? ›

In fact, the name “yakisoba” translates to “fried buckwheat noodles” in Japanese. While yakisoba is one of the most popular Japanese dishes right now, it's predecessor was actually an immigrant from Japan's neighboring country - China.

What does soba mean in Japanese? ›

The word soba (蕎麦) means "buckwheat" (fa*gopyrum esculentum). The full name for buckwheat noodles is soba-kiri (蕎麦切り "sliced buckwheat"), but soba is commonly used for short. Historically, soba noodles were called nihon-soba, wa-soba, or Yamato-soba, all of which mean "Japanese soba".

What's the difference between hibachi and yakisoba? ›

Hibachi (commonly misspelled as “habachi” or “hibatchi”) or teppanyaki noodles are traditionally made with yakisoba noodles. These round noodles are thinner than udon noodles but thicker than soba noodles and are made of buckwheat.

What is yakisoba vs ramen? ›

So while yakisoba is this sizzling, stir fried, big bowl of crispy noodles, ramen is a really comforting, like, soul warming bowl of noodles with broth. and a wide array of toppings.

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