Japanese Abura Soba (Oil Noodles)

Abura Soba is a savory Japanese noodle dish featuring chewy noodles coated in a rich, flavorful oil-based sauce, topped with tender pork and a jammy egg.

Ingredients

• 200 g ramen noodles
• 1 tbsp rendered pork lard
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 1 tsp shallot oil
• 1 tsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 tsp chili oil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 soft-boiled egg
• 50 g sliced cooked pork
• 1 tbsp shredded nori seaweed

Instructions

1. 1Add the lard base

   

   Place a spoonful of high-quality lard into the center of a serving bowl. This will serve as the rich, flavorful foundation for your Abura Soba noodles.

   Tip: Using authentic rendered pork lard provides the signature silky mouthfeel and savory depth essential for this dish.
2. 2Add soy sauce

   

   Pour a measure of dark soy sauce directly over the lard in the bowl. The soy sauce adds the necessary saltiness and color to the seasoning base.

   Tip: Choose a quality brewed soy sauce to ensure a well-rounded savory flavor without excessive bitterness.
3. 3Add mirin

   

   Pour a measured amount of clear mirin into the bowl. Mirin introduces a subtle sweetness that balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and the richness of the lard.

   Tip: Mirin is a sweet rice wine; if unavailable, a tiny pinch of sugar mixed with a drop of sake can serve as a substitute.
4. 4Add shallot oil

   

   Drizzle a small amount of aromatic shallot oil into the sauce mixture. This infused oil elevates the seasoning with a fragrant, savory onion note.

   Tip: You can easily make shallot oil at home by slowly frying thinly sliced shallots in neutral oil until golden brown.
5. 5Add oyster sauce

   

   Add a dollop of thick oyster sauce to the mixture. This adds umami and a hint of seafood sweetness that rounds out the savory profile of the sauce.

   Tip: Oyster sauce is quite thick, so use a small spatula or spoon to ensure you get the full amount out of the bottle or container.
6. 6Add chili oil

   

   Finish the sauce base by adding a drizzle of vibrant red chili oil. This provides a gentle heat and a beautiful color contrast to the mixture.

   Tip: Adjust the amount of chili oil according to your personal preference for heat; you can add more just before serving if you like it extra spicy.
7. 7Season the sauce base

   

   Add a sprinkle of black pepper into the bowl containing the sauce mixture. This adds a subtle, aromatic heat that balances the richness of the lard and soy sauce, ensuring a well-rounded flavor profile for the Abura Soba.

   Tip: Freshly cracked black pepper provides the most intense flavor; adjust the amount according to your preference for spice.
8. 8Combine noodles with sauce

   

   Transfer the freshly cooked, steaming yellow noodles directly into the prepared sauce bowl. The residual heat from the noodles will help melt the lard and incorporate the flavors into the noodles as you mix them together.

   Tip: Drain the noodles well before adding them to the bowl to ensure the concentrated sauce flavors arent diluted by excess water.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions