Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the restaurant prices? Look no further than this easy recipe for braised ifu noodles with chicken and mushrooms! This comforting dish features tender, flavorful chicken and earthy mushrooms beautifully interwoven with chewy ifu noodles in a rich, savory sauce. It's a perfect weeknight dinner that's surprisingly quick to prepare, boasting a depth of flavor that belies its simplicity. Forget takeout; this recipe lets you recreate the magic of your favorite noodle house right in your own kitchen.
The secret to its success lies in the perfectly balanced braising technique, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly. This recipe provides a delicious and satisfying meal that’s both impressive and achievable. Ready to elevate your noodle game? Let's dive into the step-by-step process and bring this delightful dish to life.
Tools Needed
- Pot
- Pan
Ingredients
- Skinless chicken thigh: 1 piece (small pieces)
- Chinese cooking wine: 1 tablespoon
- Black soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Corn flour/cornstarch: 1 teaspoon
- Pepper: dashes
- Dried shiitake mushrooms: 6 pieces (soaked & sliced)
- Sesame seed oil: 1 tablespoon
- Sugar: 1/2 teaspoon
- Light soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Ifu noodles: 200 grams
- Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Garlic: 5 cloves (chopped)
- Shimeji mushrooms: 180 grams
- Chicken stock: 250 milliliters
- Oyster sauce: 1 1/2 tablespoons
- Dark soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Light soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Chives: 80 grams
- Chinese cooking wine/Shaoxing wine: 1 tablespoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare Ingredients
- Marinate chicken with cooking wine, black soy sauce, corn flour, and pepper. Set aside.
- Marinate soaked and sliced shiitake mushrooms with sesame oil, sugar, and light soy sauce. Set aside.
- Boil Ifu noodles in water to separate them and remove any oily taste. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
Step 2. Sauté and Braise
- Heat oil in a pan, add chopped garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Add marinated mushrooms and chicken to the pan, fry until chicken is cooked and browned.
- Add shimeji mushrooms, chicken stock, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and light soy sauce. Season carefully, adding bit by bit due to potential saltiness in the stock.
Step 3. Cook Noodles & Sauce
- Add Ifu noodles, mix well, and cook until the sauce is absorbed by the noodles. Add more dark soy sauce if desired.
- Add chives and cook for a few more minutes.
- Stir in cooking wine for fragrance.
Step 4. Finish and Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning with sugar if needed. Dish up.
Read more: Authentic Chinese Mapo Tofu Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tips
- You don't need to marinate the chicken for long as it absorbs ingredients easily.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and replace oyster sauce with mushroom sauce.
Nutrition
- Calories: 600
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 70g
- Protein: 40g
FAQs
1. Can I substitute the chicken with other proteins?
Absolutely! Pork, beef, tofu, or even shrimp would work well. Adjust cooking time as needed for different proteins.
2. What if I don't have ifu noodles? Can I use other types of noodles?
Yes, you can try other wide, flat noodles like udon or even fettuccine. Keep in mind the cooking time might vary slightly.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! The braised noodles actually taste even better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This easy braised ifu noodle recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort, impressing your family and friends with its rich flavors and satisfying texture. From the tender chicken to the perfectly balanced sauce, every bite is a testament to simple yet elegant cooking. Enjoy this delicious and comforting dish – it's sure to become a new weeknight favorite!