Somen is the thinnest Japanese noodles. Sir-fried Somen is a quick and easy dish, and it is very popular. However, Somen can be difficult to find if you live outside Japan. For stir-fried Somen dishes, I have found Italian Pasta ‘Capellini’ (Angel Hair Pasta) is a great substitute and it actually works better.

Makes

1 Serving

Ingredients

1 serving Somen Noodles OR Capellini (Angel Hair Pasta)
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
1/2 tablespoon Oil *I used Canola Oil
1 Egg *whisked
1 small clove Garlic
80-100g thinly sliced Beef *cut into bite-size pieces
Salt & Pepper (OR Ground Chilli)
1-2 handfuls Baby Spinach

Sauce
1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon Sake (Rice Wine) OR Water

Method
  1. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Cook Somen (OR Capellini) until firmly cooked, and drain. Do not add Salt to water when you cook Somen as Somen is already salted. If you use Capellini, you need to cook it in salted water.
  3. *Note: I recommend to rinse Somen to remove starch, then drain well. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil and mix to combine.
  4. Heat Oil in a frying pan over medium heat, cook Egg into soft scrambled, and transfer to the bowl that you used to whisk the Egg.
  5. Add an extra small amount Oil to the pan and cook Garlic. When aromatic, add Beef. When Beef changed colour, lightly season with a pinch of Salt & Pepper (OR Ground Chilli), then add Spinach and the Sauce, and stir. Finally add Somen (OR Capellini) and stir to combine.