Abura Soba (Soupless Japanese Oil Ramen, Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Quick and flavorful abura soba is my go-to when I don’t have anything in the fridge! Play around with the toppings to create your perfect version.
Ingredients
- 2 bundles Chinese noodles note 1
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2.5 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
For the toppings
- 0.2 ounces bonito flakes about one grab
- ¼ cup toasted white sesame seeds
- ⅓ cup minced scallions about 2-3 stalks of scallions
- 2 Ajitama ramen egg (note 2) or regular boiled egg
- Chashu braised pork or pork ham, optional
- La-Yu optional
- Other toppings of your choice note 3
Instructions
- Make bonito powder: Place 0.2 ounces bonito flakes in a small microwavable bowl and microwave them for 1 minute until they become dry. Rub them with your hands to turn them into powder. Set aside.
- Make scallions and sesame mix: Place ¼ cup toasted white sesame seeds in a food processor and pulse until they turn into ground sesame. Add ⅓ cup minced scallions and mix together. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: Mix 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2.5 teaspoons soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon sugar together and divide them into serving bowls. Add 1 teaspoon of bonito powder to each serving bowl and mix well (you can use the leftover bonito powder as a topping). Set aside.
- Prepare other toppings: Prepare any toppings you’d like to use at this point.
- Boil noodles: Boil water in a large pot and cook 2 bundles Chinese noodles according to the instructions on the package. Once done, drain them in a strainer.
- Assemble the bowl: Divide the noodles into serving bowls over the sauce, and top with your desired toppings. Eat while it’s hot! (note 4)
Notes
(1) Chinese noodles: the serving size of the product I used was approximately 100g. Please adjust the amount of sauce accordingly based on the noodle serving size. I also recommend using thick, fresh noodles instead of dry noodles, as this dish is meant to highlight the noodles!
(2) Ajitama (ramen egg): If you want to make ajitama (ramen egg), check out my not-too-salty ajitama recipe!
(3) Toppings: Please check out the What Can I Use as Toppings for Abura Soba? section for more examples.
(4) How to Eat: Please check out the How to Eat Abura Soba? section to learn the traditional way to eat abura soba.
💡If you can't find specific ingredients, check out how to substitute Japanese ingredients in this post.