EAT IN ASIA / Destinations / Japan
Try Yakisoba during the Sanja Matsuri Festival
Fried noodles are very popular in many Asian countries. And so, it is in Japan. Japanese fried noodles are called Yakisoba – in Japanese it is 焼きそば. Yakisoba noodles are usually prepared from Chinese-style noodles mixed with different meats, vegetables and with a dark soy sauce. These Chinese-style noodles are made from wheat flour and do not contain eggs (what differentiates them from yellow Chinese noodles).
Japanese yakisoba could not exist without that special dark sauce that is slightly similar to Worcestershire sauce.
What is in Japanese yakisoba noodle dish?
Of course, the base for that dish create ramen-style noodles. Apart from that different meats are added. Mainly that are pork pieces, sausages or, what is rarer, chicken chops or some kinds of seafood. However, they are never mixed together. That is also the main difference between Japanese yakisoba and Chinese Chow mein. Then come vegetables. Usually it is cabbage, carrot, onion, bean sprouts, green peppers and sometimes mushrooms. However, the amount of them is not very big, so do not expect to get a dish loaded with vegetables and some noodles. On the contrary, in Japanese yakisoba noodles you will get noodles and some other ingredients that will be in minority .
I would say that 90% of Japanese yakisoba consists of noodles, then the rest is for meat and vegetables.
Then come the sauce and some basic spices like salt and pepper. The dark sauce is a Japanese style Worcestershire sauce that is salty and sweet at the same time. If the oyster sauce is added too, then the whole dish gets a richer flavor with a distinguishable umami taste. Yakisoba is a Japanese dish that has a nice composition of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
Finally, yakisoba is garnished with a small amount of Japanese pickles or condiments like bonito flakes, pickled ginger or pickled daikon radish.
How are Japanese yakisoba noodles prepared?
Dried noodles are lightly soaked in a warm water what allows separating them. Then they are drained.
Separately a sauce is being prepared.
The frying process starts with meat. Then noodles are added. In the next step vegetables are mixed and fried with noodles and meat. At the far end, the sauce is added. Noodles are fried for a couple of minutes till they become tender.
Yakisoba noodles sauce ingredients
Japanese yakisoba has a unique sauce. This sauce is prepared from a couple of ingredients. The base for the sauce creates a Japanese style Worcestershire sauce. Apart from that, this special yakisoba sauce should also have soy sauce and oyster sauce, mirin and some sugar. Ramen-style wheat noodles are usually used for preparing yakisoba. However, sometimes ramen-style noodles are replaced by Japanese udon noodles. Then the whole dish is named yaki udon.
The short history of Japanese yakisoba noodles
Japanese yakisoba has a long tradition. It appeared for the first time after the World War II when the wheat flour was expensive. In consequence there was a need of increasing the volume of the dish in a relatively cheap way. That is why cabbage was added and made the dish more available for many people. Quickly yakisoba gained popularity and was served in many places starting from houses, through bars and ending on restaurants.
Nowadays yakisoba is still very popular. It is treated as a relatively cheap dish, but still very liked. Yakisoba is served on picknicks, public gatherings, festivals and parties.
And where to try them if not in one of such a place in Japan?
Trying Japanese yakisoba noodles during the Sanja Matsuri Festival
Sanja Matsuri Festival is one of the most spectacular festivals in Japan and is one of the so called ‘Three Great Shinto Festivals in Tokyo’. It takes place during the first three weekends of May. On these days a lot of things happen. Apart from mikoshi parades, drum concerts and dances, street stalls selling local dishes appear close to the Asakusa Shrine.
Local people from the Asakusa area prepare also free food and drinks for people participating in the mikoshi parade. And if you are lucky, you can try these Japanese yakisoba noodles that are prepared for mikoshi porters. This dish is rich, full of aromas and has a distinguishable umami flavor. Local people prepare them for participants, but sometimes they share it with other people too. That is really great! We had such an opportunity and that was something awesome. Something that you cannot experience anywhere else. Only here, in Japan, and only during these special festival days. Cooks are doing their best to prepare meals that would be tasty and appreciated by mikoshi porters. Apart from that, this Sanja Matsuri Festival is a great event for them and an additional possibility of gathering together and of spending time in a cheerful atmosphere.
These home-made yakisoba noodles have a special taste that is characteristic for every single house. Another place where you could easily have them is of course, the Asakusa Shrine area close to the famous Sensō-ji temple.
Stalls with local food are overloaded with Japanese style fried noodles and you will definitively not have any problem with getting a serving or two of them.
