Adapted from: EMILY AND MATT CLIFTON Serious Eats
Why It Works
Soaking the pork in baking soda creates a tender and moist texture.
Stir-frying in batches ensures good browning, not steaming.
YIELD:
Serves 4
ACTIVE TIME:
40 minutes
TOTAL TIME:
40 minutes
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound (450g) fresh lo mein noodles (I used ½ lb spaghetti as that’s all I had)
- 1 pound (450g) country-style boneless pork ribs or boneless pork loin chops ( I used 1 smallish pork sirloin chop, thinly sliced probably was about 1/3 lb )
- 1 teaspoon (3g) baking soda
- 3 tablespoons (40g) sugar (I used 2 TBS sugar)
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) soy sauce (used Kimlan I-Jen)
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) oyster sauce (used Lee Kum Kee)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Chinese black or balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry (used dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Asian fish sauce (3 crabs brand)
- 1 tablespoon (15g) cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) neutral oil, such as grapeseed, peanut, or canola, divided
- 1 (3-inch) knob fresh ginger, peeled and minced (about 2 tablespoons; 12g)
- 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 4 scallions, white parts cut in 1-inch pieces, light green parts very thinly sliced; divided and some reserved for garnish (used 3)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cored purple cabbage (5 ounces; 150g) (used 1c thinly sliced)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Chinese broccoli or cored Napa cabbage (5 ounces; 150g) (omitted)
- 1 cup julienned carrots (2 1/2 ounces; 75g) (only had 1 carrot)
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Sambal oelek (chili paste), for serving (optional) (didn’t use – subbed sriracha instead)
- ½ green onion sliced into strips
Directions
1.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook noodles according to package directions, stirring regularly with tongs or long chopsticks, until al dente and separated. Drain noodles , rinse under cold water, drizzle with a touch of oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
2.
Trim pork of excess fat and cut into thin strips, about 1/4 inch wide by 2 inches long. In a bowl, stir together baking soda and 1/2 cup cold water. Add pork, stir until thoroughly coated, then let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, wine, fish sauce, and cornstarch until sugar is dissolved. Set sauce aside.
4.
Drain pork well, rinse with cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Add pork back to rinsed and dried bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons (15ml) of the sauce and mix well.
5.
In a wok or large cast iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon (15ml) neutral oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ginger, garlic, and white scallion pieces and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Increase heat to high and add purple cabbage, Chinese broccoli (or Napa cabbage), and carrots. Cook, stirring and tossing, until vegetables are charred in spots and just softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
6.
Add 1 tablespoon (15ml) neutral oil to wok or skillet and heat over high heat until smoking. Add pork, spreading it out in a single layer, and let cook on one side until crisp and brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring and tossing, until just cooked through, about 1 minute longer. Transfer to plate with vegetables.
7.
Wipe out wok or skillet, then add remaining 1 tablespoon (15ml) neutral oil and heat over high heat until smoking. Add noodles and cook, tossing and stirring, until hot.
8.
Add remaining sauce, vegetables, and pork to noodles and toss well over heat to combine. Transfer lo mein to a platter and sprinkle sliced green scallions all over, along with sesame seeds, if using. Serve right away, passing sambal oelek at the table if desired.