Hot oil noodles

Hot oil noodles (you po mian) are a signature Chinese noodle dish, originating from the northern region of China, that utilises a special technique of pouring hot oil directly onto the flavour-providing elements of the sauce. This process (known as blooming) helps to gently cook and extract maximum flavour from the chilli, onion and garlic, creating a complex and addictive sauce for the noodles.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

• serves

  3

• prep

  5 minutes

• cook

  15 minutes

• difficulty

  Easy

Stream free On Demand

Ready-Made Noodles

Watch the full episode here

G

Watch the full episode here

G

Ingredients

• 3 Chinese instant noodle cakes
• 1 bunch bok choy, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• 3 tsp ground chilli powder
• ½ cup roughly chopped spring onions
• 3 tsp finely chopped garlic
• light soy sauce, to taste
• 100 g cooked chicken meat, pulled (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, then cook the noodles according to the package directions. In the last 30 seconds of cook time, add the bok choy to the boiling water. Drain the noodles and bok choy, then divide between serving bowls.

2. Place the vegetable oil in a small saucepan and heat until smoking.

3. Meanwhile, top the noodles with the chilli powder, spring onion and garlic, then drizzle soy sauce to taste around the side of the serving bowls.

4. Once smoking, pour the heated vegetable oil over the noodles and toppings. It should sizzle gently. Garnish with cooked chicken, if you like, then mix evenly to combine and serve.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

Want more from The Cook Up?

• Stream free here at SBS On Demand

• Get the show recipes, articles and more here

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

Ready-Made Noodles

Watch the full episode here

G

Watch the full episode here

G