Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian)
Local name: 葱油拌面
In short: Springy noodles tossed in dark soy sauce and fragrant oil slowly infused with caramelized scallions, a Shanghai noodle shop classic. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 3 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 3
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 650 kcal
Cong you ban mian is a humble Shanghai noodle dish with a big payoff. Scallions are fried slowly in oil until they turn deep golden, crisp and sweet, which flavors the oil. The oil is then mixed with soy sauce and a little sugar to make a sauce for hot noodles. It needs only a handful of pantry ingredients and takes about 25 minutes. People eat it at lunch, as a late meal or alongside a bowl of soup.
Instructions
- Wash the scallions and dry them completely with a towel, because wet scallions will spatter in the oil. Cut them into 5 cm lengths, keeping the white parts apart from the green.
- Put the oil and scallion whites in a small pot over low heat, and add the greens after 5 minutes. Cook gently for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the scallions are deep golden brown and crisp but not blackened.
- Lift out about half of the scallions with a slotted spoon and set them aside as the topping. Take the pot off the heat.
- Stir the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sugar into the hot oil. Return the pot to low heat for 1 minute, until the sugar dissolves and the sauce bubbles gently.
- Cook the noodles in boiling water until just tender. Scoop out a cup of the cooking water, then drain the noodles.
- Toss the noodles in the pot with the sauce and 2 to 3 tablespoons of noodle water until glossy. Divide into bowls and top with the crisp scallions.
Tips
- Brown the scallions slowly over low heat. Rushing them gives a bitter, burnt taste. Keep them well dried before frying to avoid spattering.
- For more depth, fry a few thin slices of shallot with the scallions, or top the bowl with blanched bok choy.
Questions and answers
Can I make the scallion oil ahead of time?
Yes. Keep it in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 5 days and warm it before tossing with noodles. Discard it if any water or moisture got into the jar.
What noodles are best for scallion oil noodles?
Thin wheat noodles, fresh or dried, are traditional. Spaghetti or ramen-style noodles also work, as long as they are cooked until just tender.
Is scallion oil noodles spicy?
No, it is savory and slightly sweet. Add a spoonful of chili oil at the table if you want heat.
How long does it take to make Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian)?
About 650 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 82 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 650 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 82 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
