Northern Style Braised Noodle Bowl
Ingredients Overview
Living in a medium-sized city, the culinary landscape remains relatively narrow, particularly when it comes to authentic ethnic cuisine. However, that changed with the arrival of a new restaurant specializing in northern style dishes. The menu was filled with tantalizing options, but what truly caught my eye was the braised noodle bowl. The unique combination of ingredients created a complex tapestry of taste that made each bite a savory delight.
Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived when, to my dismay, the restaurant closed its doors. It was a loss not only for my taste buds but also for my community. The closure left a void that could not easily be filled. In response to this sense of loss, I felt an urge to reconnect with those flavors that had brought me so much joy. Thus began my journey to recreate the beloved braised noodle bowl in my own kitchen.
The Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
Submerge mushrooms and lily flowers in hot water for approximately 40 minutes, until they are fully rehydrated.
Once softened, rinse them under cold running water to remove any residual grit.
After rinsing, carefully slice the shiitake mushrooms.
Note: The liquid left over from soaking the mushrooms is a culinary treasure! This flavorful broth makes a fantastic addition to the soup. Using mushroom soaking liquid can add umami, enriching your dish with a depth of flavor that mirrors the earthiness of the mushrooms themselves.
In a large pot, start to heat the chicken broth. You may use homemade or store-bought broth. Add the hydrated mushrooms and lily flowers, along with a selection of spices.
Next, incorporate soy sauce and any additional seasonings to enhance the umami profile of your soup. Adjust the seasoning cautiously, tasting as you go.
Combine 1/4 cup of cornstarch with 1 cup of soaking liquid in a small bowl. Mix well until the cornstarch dissolves completely, creating a slurry. Gradually pour this mixture in to the simmering soup while stirring continuously. The heat activates the cornstarch, causing the soup to thicken beautifully within a few minutes.
When it comes to serving, start by placing a hearty serving of udon noodles into a bowl, ladle the thickened soup over the noodles, ensuring they are generously submerged.
For those seeking a healthier noodle option, consider using Shirataki noodles which have few calories and more nutrients.
Northern Style Braised Noodle Bowl
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Soak handful of dried lily flowers, shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms in hot water until they are soft. (40 mins).1 handful dried lily flowers, 1 handful dried shiitake mushrooms, 1 handful wood ear mushrooms
- Keep the soaking liquid. Rinse shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms to remove any sand.
- Slice shiitake mushrooms into thin slices.
- Dice 2 green onions.2 green onions
- Combine hydrated lily flowers, sliced shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms and diced green onion in a large pot, pour 4 cups chicken broth into the pot.4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- Add 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp pink salt, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp Shaoxing Wine, 1/2 tsp white pepper and 1 tsp ground garlic powder. Bring the pot to boil. Reduce the heat to simmer.1/2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp pink salt, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1/2 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp ground garlic powder
- Prepare the Udon noodle according to package instruction. Then put the noodles in the individual serving bowls.1 pkg Udon Noodle (24 oz) (frozen) (See notes 1)
- Mix 1 cup of soaking liquid with 1/4 cup of corn starch1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 cup soaking liquid
- Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce, stir. The sauce should become very thick. Simmer for 1 minute
- Serve the sauce immediately over the noodles. (See notes 2)
Notes
- You can use any kind of noodles. Udon is my favorite, but it has a higher carb content than other noodles. I usually combine some Udon noodles with shirataki noodles to balance out the carbs
- There are many toppings you can add to the bowl to make an even more inviting meal. Check out the meals below
Rarely do I like Chinese soups. This was an exception. Fantastic!
不错的汤面，不过要注意不能用新鲜的黄花菜，一定要用晒干的，新鲜的有毒的