Published on Modified: by Alexandria Drzazgowski. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Jump to Recipe
Yakisoba is a delicious stir-fried noodle dish, but the best yakisoba depends on truly excellent Yakisoba Sauce. Give this super simple recipe a try to take your homemade yakisoba to the next level!
“Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!”
When most American think about Japanese noodles, they may picture in their mind a bowl of ramen. But if you are a fan of Japanese noodles, you should really also be a fan of yakisoba.
Yakisoba is different from ramen because it is not a soup dish. Yakisoba is a dish made with stir-fried noodles covered in a thick, savory sauce and paired with cabbage, onions, carrots, and thinly sliced meat.
Of course, good yakisoba depends on good yakisoba sauce. It’s the sauce that coats every bite and brings a rush of flavor.
This sauce is easier to put together than you might think. Just mix up a few simple ingredients and you’re ready to make a main dish your whole family will love!
Recipe Origins
China introduced Japan to the first noodles during the 4th century. Chinese chefs had been making soba noodles from buckwheat for centuries by then, but it took some time for the Japanese people to adopt them into their everyday cooking.
By the 20th century trade with China was booming and Japanese cuisine was evolving with it. The Japanese adopted the Chinese stir-fried noodles, and chow mein, but put their own twist on the dish, creating yakisoba.
The popularity of yakisoba really took off after World War II. The dish allowed people to use inexpensive ingredients like cabbage and small pieces of meat and create a dish that is full of flavor.
What really makes the dish so fantastic is, of course, the delicious sauce. Japanese Worcestershire sauce is one of the main ingredients along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a little bit of sugar.
Today different regions of Japan may use slightly different sauces or vegetables, but the combination of noodles, protein, and vegetables cooked quickly together makes this dish a crowd favorite at street festivals, Asian markets, and restaurants.
Why Make This Recipe
- First Step to Yakisoba: If you’re craving some Beef Yakisoba from home, you need a good sauce to cook it all in. This is just the first step towards a delicious lunch or dinner.
- Easy Flavor: This yakisoba sauce recipe adds incredible flavor to yakisoba, fried rice, gyoza, or any stir-fry dish.
- Taste of Japan: Yakisoba is a very popular dish in Japan, especially when sold by street vendors. If you want to experience a little bit of Japan, this simple sauce can get you there!
What Do I Need To Make This Recipe
Ingredients
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- Ketchup
- Soy Sauce
- Granulated Sugar
- Molasses: This ingredient is not common in many online versions of Yakisoba Sauce, but it was listed as an ingredient in a popular Yakisoba Sauce bottle, so I added it to this recipe. I think it adds a delicious and unique flavor!
How to Make This Recipe
Step One: Combine your ingredients
Put all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add more granulated sugar to taste depending on if you want a sweeter yakisoba.
Use in your favorite yakisoba recipe! Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. You could also use brown sugar instead of sugar and molasses.
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- Japanese Worcestershire sauce may be sweeter than Western Worcestershire. For the most authentic flavor, choose the Japanese brand Bulldog Worcestershire. You can find it online or at Asian grocery stores.
FAQs
What Can I Use As a Substitute for Oyster Sauce?
If you don’t have any oyster sauce on hand, it’s usually not too difficult to find at the grocery store in the Asian section. It’s a great sauce to have on hand if you plan to make any Japanese or Chinese dishes.
Still, if you don’t want to spend the money on a bottle of oyster sauce there are a few sauces you can use as a substitute. For this recipe, I would suggest using hoisin sauce or leaving the oyster sauce out completely.
You could also try a bit of fish sauce, teriyaki sauce, or vegan mushroom sauce. Taste as you go with any of these substitutions to ensure the flavor is not too strong.
Is Yakisoba Sauce Sweet?
This homemade sauce is both sweet and savory. It is tangy but not too salty. You can adjust it to your liking.
How Can I Use Yakisoba Sauce?
Use this homemade yakisoba sauce for yakisoba or save some to use as a marinade for meat. You can also add it to fried rice or use it as a stir-fry sauce.
How is Yakisoba Sauce Different From Other Japanese Sauces?
Many Japanese sauces have similar ingredients but in different ratios. Feel free to adjust to your liking and re-use the ingredients for your other favorite Japanese recipes too.
What Noodles Should I Use For Yakisoba?
You can find yakisoba noodles in your local Asian grocery store and this is usually the best choice. If you cannot find yakisoba noodles, simple ramen noodles will work as well.
Mix your noodles up in a large skillet with thinly sliced meat, cabbage, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, green onion, and bean sprouts and you’ve got a delicious meal!
What Kind of Meat Is Used for Yakisoba?
Yakisoba may be made with pork belly, beef, or chicken breast. Different regions may have their own varieties. Definitely check out this Beef Yakisoba to enjoy for dinner!
Did you enjoy this recipe for Yakisoba Sauce? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
- Easy Katsu Sauce Recipe
- American Wagyu Beef vs Japanese Wagyu Beef
- Chicken Katsudon Recipe
- Rainbow Roll Sushi Recipe
- Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe
Yakisoba Sauce Recipe
Yakisoba is a delicious stir-fried noodle dish, but the best yakisoba depends on truly excellent Yakisoba Sauce. Give this super simple recipe a try to take your homemade yakisoba to the next level!
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Course: condiment, Sauces
Cuisine: Japanese
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Servings: 0.75 cup
Calories: 359kcal
Author: Alexandria Drzazgowski
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup Oyster sauce
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp molasses
Instructions
Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add more granulated sugar to taste depending on if you want a sweeter yakisoba.
Use in your favorite yakisoba recipe! Enjoy!
Notes
Copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational or personal use only.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- Ketchup
- Soy Sauce
- Granulated Sugar
- Molasses: This ingredient is not common in many online versions of Yakisoba Sauce, but it was listed as an ingredient on a popular Yakisoba Sauce bottle, so I added it to this recipe. I think it adds a delicious and unique flavor!
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. You could also use brown sugar instead of sugar and molasses.
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- Japanese Worcestershire sauce may be sweeter than Western Worcestershire. For the most authentic flavor, choose the Japanese brand Bulldog Worcestershire. You can find it online or at Asian grocery stores.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 6538mg | Potassium: 1435mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 8mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheForeignFork or tag #TheForeignFork!
Related Recipes
- Yakisoba vs Ramen
- Beef Yakisoba Recipe
- Japanese Dinner Foods
- Lagman Recipe
