Scallion Noodles: A Flavorful Journey into Shanghai

scallion noodles

Scallion noodles, a dish that epitomizes the essence of Shanghai’s culinary tradition, are a marvel of simplicity and flavor. This humble yet delectable dish, known for its straightforward preparation and rich taste, has become a global favorite. It stands as a testament to the power of minimalist cooking, proving that a few well-chosen ingredients can create a gastronomic delight.

What are Scallion Noodles?

Scallion noodles, or 葱油拌面 (cong yu ban mian) in Mandarin, originate from the vibrant culinary landscape of Shanghai. This dish, a harmonious blend of noodles drenched in aromatic scallion oil, showcases the beauty of simplicity in Chinese cuisine.

  • Cultural Significance: In the heart of Shanghai and beyond, scallion noodles are not just a dish; they are a cultural symbol, relished across various meals – from a quick breakfast to a comforting dinner.
  • Variations and Names: While the core recipe remains largely unchanged, regional variations have led to different names and slight modifications, such as spring onion oil noodles and green onion oil noodles.

Explore the rich history and cultural significance of scallion noodles.

The Art of Simple Ingredients

The charm of scallion noodles lies in the symphony of its few, yet impactful, ingredients. Each plays a vital role in creating the dish’s unique flavor profile.

  • Scallions/Green Onions: The essence of the dish, scallions provide a unique, umami-rich flavor that is both mellow and profound.
  • Neutral Oil: Serving as the medium for flavor, it allows the scallion’s aroma to be the star of the dish.
  • Light and Dark Soy Sauce: These ingredients add depth of flavor and color, with light soy sauce bringing umami and saltiness, and dark soy sauce offering a caramel-like sweetness and rich color.
  • Sugar: A touch of sugar is used to subtly enhance and balance the savory notes of the soy sauces, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

For those who love experimenting with flavors, consider trying the Ultimate Tuna Ceviche Recipe, another dish that beautifully balances simplicity and taste.

Choosing the Right Noodles

The versatility of scallion noodles is evident in the variety of noodles that can be used. Each type brings its own texture and character to the dish:

  • Instant Ramen Noodles: For those seeking a quick and easy option, instant ramen noodles are a perfect choice. They absorb the scallion oil well and provide a familiar, comforting texture.
  • Udon: For a chewier, more substantial noodle, udon is an excellent choice. Its thick, soft texture contrasts beautifully with the crisp scallions.
  • Rice Noodles: For a gluten-free alternative, rice noodles offer a light and slightly chewy texture, making the dish accessible to those with dietary restrictions.
  • Egg Noodles: Traditional egg noodles offer a classic, slightly eggy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the rich scallion oil.

The key to choosing the right noodle lies in personal preference and the desired final texture of the dish. If you’re interested in exploring more gluten-free options, check out our Easy Almond Flour Tortillas, perfect for a variety of dishes.

Step-by-Step Recipe

Creating scallion noodles is a journey into the heart of Chinese cooking, where simplicity and flavor reign supreme. Here’s a detailed guide to making this delightful dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch green onions
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 portions of your choice of noodles (6 ounces dried or 12 ounces fresh)

Instructions

  1. Scallion Preparation: Begin by washing and drying the green onions. Slice them into thin pieces, separating the white and green parts.
  2. Oil Infusion: In a pan, heat the neutral oil and add the white parts of the green onions. Cook on low heat until they turn golden brown and crispy, infusing the oil with their flavor.
  3. Sauce Creation: Add the green parts of the onions to the pan, continuing to fry until they too become crispy. Then, stir in the light and dark soy sauces along with the sugar, creating a rich, flavorful sauce.
  4. Cooking the Noodles: In a separate pot, cook your chosen noodles according to package instructions. Ensure they are cooked al dente, then drain them well.
  5. Combining the Elements: Toss the cooked noodles with the scallion-infused oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. Garnish with the crispy scallions.
  6. Serving: Serve the noodles hot, allowing the flavors to meld together in each bite.

Toppings and Variations

Elevate your scallion noodles with a variety of toppings:

  • Crispy scallions for a burst of flavor
  • A fried egg for added richness
  • Chili crisp for a spicy kick
  • Toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish

Experiment with these additions to personalize your dish.

Pairing with Sides

To round off the meal, scallion noodles can be paired with several side dishes, here are a few of them:

1. Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice wine
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp five-spice powder
  • 1 cup potato starch
  • Oil for frying
  • Basil leaves for garnish
  • Salt and white pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Marinate Chicken: Combine chicken with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and five-spice powder. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Coat and Fry: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot. Coat the marinated chicken pieces in potato starch and fry until golden and crispy.
  3. Garnish and Serve: Fry some basil leaves in the hot oil until crisp. Serve the chicken sprinkled with salt, white pepper, and crispy basil leaves.

2. Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb pork shoulder, sliced
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp Chinese rice wine
  • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • Red food coloring (optional)

Directions:

  1. Prepare Marinade: Mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice wine, five-spice powder, garlic, and food coloring in a bowl.
  2. Marinate Pork: Coat the pork slices with the marinade and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Roast: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place pork on a rack over a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, basting occasionally with the remaining marinade.
  4. Serve: Let the pork rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

3. Scallion Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup boiling water
  • Sesame oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped scallions
  • Salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

  1. Make Dough: Mix flour with boiling water to form a dough. Knead until smooth.
  2. Roll Out: Divide the dough into small balls. Roll each ball into a thin circle.
  3. Add Scallions: Brush each circle with sesame oil, sprinkle with scallions and a pinch of salt. Roll up into a log, then coil into a round pancake.
  4. Cook Pancakes: Heat oil in a pan. Fry each pancake until golden brown on both sides.
  5. Serve: Cut into wedges and serve hot.

4. Cucumber Salad with Sesame

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red chili flakes (optional)

Directions:

  1. Prepare Cucumbers: Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for about 10 minutes to draw out water.
  2. Mix Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and soy sauce.
  3. Combine and Serve: Add cucumbers to the dressing. Toss with sesame seeds, and season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes if desired.

5. Steamed Bok Choy

Ingredients:

  • 4 bok choy, halved or quartered
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions:

  1. Steam Bok Choy: Steam bok choy until tender, about 5-6 minutes.
  2. Prepare Sauce: Mix garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar in a bowl.
  3. Dress and Serve: Drizzle the sauce over the steamed bok choy and garnish with sesame seeds.

6. Wontons in Chili Oil

Ingredients:

  • For the Wontons:
    • 1/2 lb ground pork
    • 1 tsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp sesame oil
    • 1/2 tsp ginger, minced
    • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
    • Wonton wrappers
  • For the Chili Oil:
    • 1/4 cup oil
    • 2 tbsp chili flakes
    • 1 tsp sesame seeds
    • 1 tsp soy sauce
    • 1/2 tsp sugar

Directions:

  1. Make Wontons: Mix pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and green onions. Place a small amount of filling in each wonton wrapper and fold.
  2. Cook Wontons: Boil wontons in water until they float to the top and are cooked through.
  3. Prepare Chili Oil: Heat oil and pour over chili flakes and sesame seeds. Stir in soy sauce and sugar.
  4. Serve: Toss the cooked wontons in the chili oil and serve.

7. Garlic Soy Green Beans

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb green beans, trimmed
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions:

  1. Blanch Green Beans: Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water.
  2. Sauté Garlic: In a pan, heat vegetable oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  3. Cook Beans: Add green beans, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir-fry until the beans are coated and heated through.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

8. Spicy Sichuan Eggplant

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium eggplants, cut into strips
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp chili bean paste
  • 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns

Directions:

  1. Prepare Sauce: Mix soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
  2. Cook Eggplant: Heat oil in a pan, add eggplant, and stir-fry until soft.
  3. Add Flavors: Add garlic, ginger, chili bean paste, and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for a minute.
  4. Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce over the eggplant and cook until the sauce thickens.

9. Honey Glazed Carrots

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

  1. Cook Carrots: Boil carrots until tender.
  2. Glaze: In a pan, melt butter and add honey. Add cooked carrots and toss to coat.
  3. Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley.

10. Asian Slaw with Peanut Dressing

Ingredients:

  • For the Slaw:
    • 2 cups shredded cabbage
    • 1 cup shredded carrots
    • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
    • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • For the Dressing:
    • 2 tbsp peanut butter
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp lime juice
    • 1 tsp honey
    • 1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

  1. Combine Slaw Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and cilantro.
  2. Prepare Dressing: Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and garlic until smooth.
  3. Dress and Toss: Pour dressing over the slaw and toss to combine.

Each of these side dishes offers a unique blend of flavors and textures that can beautifully complement the main course of scallion noodles, creating a diverse and satisfying dining experience.

Nutritional Information

A typical serving of scallion noodles offers a balanced nutritional profile:

  • Calories: 604
  • Fat: 28.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 74.3g
  • Protein: 13.1g

This makes it a nourishing option for a fulfilling meal.

Conclusion

Scallion noodles, a staple of Shanghai’s culinary heritage, offer a journey into the heart of minimalist cooking. Their ease of preparation, combined with their delightful flavors, make them an essential dish for anyone exploring the depths of Asian cuisine. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, scallion noodles promise a rewarding and flavorful experience.