Sesame Noodles with Cabbage Stir-Fry
This is a quick vegetarian stir-fry noodle with cabbage recipe. It requires only a few ingredients to create a delicious caramelized weeknight dinner. The seasoning sauce, which includes soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil, gives this dish a lot of flavor. Serve this tasty and budget-friendly noodle dish as a main course, side dish, or Asian snack.
My mother is the pancit or noodles queen, as far as I’m concerned. She inspired me to learn to cook and make the best food for my family. Whenever I make a stir-fry dish like this sesame noodles recipe, it brings me back home, and so when I made this the other day, it felt like I was transported back to Manila.
I enjoyed making this simple but flavorful cabbage and noodle dish and used some wonton noodles. Feel free to use the lo mein, chow mein, or Filipino canton noodles. Just make sure to prep or cook the noodles first (see instructions on how to do it in the package it came with), measure to one pound as the recipe calls for, and then mix it in at the end. The key is to prepare the ingredients ahead of time because the cooking part is quite fast and requires initial preparation or mise en place.
Ingredients for Sesame Noodles with Chinese Cabbage Stir Fry
- Chinese Cabbage: A leafy green vegetable that adds crunch, nutrition, and a mild flavor to the dish.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for stir-frying the cabbage and noodles, providing necessary fat for cooking and enhancing flavor.
- Egg Noodles: The main carbohydrate component, these noodles serve as the base of the dish, offering a hearty texture.
- Sesame Seeds: These tiny seeds add a nutty flavor and crunch, enhancing the overall taste and presentation of the dish.
- Soy Sauce: A salty and umami-rich sauce that contributes depth of flavor to the dish.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds a sweet and savory profile, enriching the sauce with a unique taste that complements the other ingredients.
- Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness to balance the savory flavors in the sauce.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Minced Ginger: Introduces a warm, spicy note that brightens the dish and adds complexity.
- Garlic Cloves: It adds a bold, aromatic depth of flavor that enhances the savory and nutty elements of the sesame noodle dish.
- Sesame Oil: A flavorful oil that imparts a rich, nutty aroma and taste, elevating the overall flavor of the noodles.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make this Sesame Noodles with Chinese Cabbage Stir Fry
Chop cabbage into bite-size pieces.
Heat a large, heavy pan with 1 ½ tablespoons oil. Add the garlic and let sizzle until aromatic. Add the cabbage and cook by stirring continuously until it softens. It will take about 5 minutes, more or less.
For the Sauce: Meanwhile, stir all ingredients in a medium bowl.
When cabbage is soft, add noodles and sesame seeds to the pan. Stir fry for 2 minutes. Pour sauce into the pan and stir to coat for 1 minute. Remove and garnish with green onions and more sesame seeds. Serve.
Tips for Perfect Sesame Noodles
- Don’t overcook the cabbage: Keep it slightly crisp for a pleasant texture contrast with the soft noodles.
- Toast the sesame seeds: For an extra nutty flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan before adding them to the dish.
- Adjust the sauce: Feel free to tweak the sauce ingredients to suit your taste. Add more brown sugar for sweetness or increase the ginger for extra zing.
- Prep ahead: Chop the cabbage and mix the sauce ingredients in advance to make cooking even quicker on busy nights.
- Add protein: For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the dish.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about this sesame noodles recipe is its adaptability. Here are some delicious variations to experiment with:
- Veggie-packed: Add julienned carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for extra nutrition and color.
- Spicy kick: Incorporate a tablespoon of sriracha or chili oil into the sauce for heat lovers.
- Nutty twist: Toss in chopped peanuts or cashews for added crunch and protein.
- Gluten-free option: Use rice noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
Storing and Reheating
These sesame noodles with Chinese cabbage are excellent for meal prep. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes or stir-fry in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use other types of noodles?
Absolutely! While egg noodles work great, you can substitute with soba, udon, or even spaghetti or linguini noodles.
Is there a vegetarian alternative to oyster sauce?
Yes, you can use vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce as a substitute.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the components ahead of time except the noodles. The noodles are best prepared and cooked just before using them. Cooking the dish ahead might lead to dried-out noodles because the stir-fry doesn’t have a lot of sauce.
These sesame noodles with Chinese cabbage offer a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will satisfy your cravings for Asian-inspired cuisine. With its simplicity and versatility, this dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. So grab your wok and get cooking – a delicious meal awaits!
Sesame Noodles with Chinese Cabbage Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped cabbage
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 lb egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Chop cabbage in bite-size pieces.
- Heat a large, heavy pan with 1 ½ tablespoons oil. Add the garlic and let sizzle until aromatic. Add the cabbage and cook by stirring continuously until it softens. It will take about 5 minutes more or less.
For the Sauce:
- Meanwhile, stir all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- When cabbage is soft, add noodles and sesame seeds to the pan. Stir fry for 2 minutes.
- Pour sauce in the pan and stir to coat for 1 minute.
- Remove and garnish with green onions and more sesame seeds. Serve.
Notes
budget-friendly How to store leftovers –Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. How to freeze –Allow to cool down and freeze in an airtight container for 1 month. How to reheat – Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
The seasoning sauce adds so much flavor to this easy and tasty sesame noodles! This is my kind of food for snacking. Love it!