Authentic Yakisoba Sauce

Yakisoba Sauce can easily be made at home. Even if you have made yakisoba before and felt that the flavor of your sauce was different from the authentic taste, be sure to give this recipe a try. As someone who lives in Japan, I can confidently recommend it!

Yakisoba Sauce is a condiment used for yakisoba, a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish. It has a rich flavor with low salt content and minimal sweetness, and it is not thick in consistency. When made from scratch, it is prepared by combining several ingredients, with Japanese Worcestershire sauce as the base.

Since the flavor of yakisoba heavily depends on the sauce, its seasoning plays a crucial role in determining the overall impression of the dish. Reducing the sauce’s viscosity to ensure it coats the noodles evenly, and lowering the salt content to prevent excessive saltiness as moisture evaporates during cooking are ways to enhance the balance between the sauce and the noodles.

You can easily make your own yakisoba sauce by mixing several seasonings together. Here are the ingredients used in my recipe and their roles:

• Japanese Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a condiment made by adding seasonings and spices to a base of vegetables and fruits, then allowing it to mature. The reason for using 'Japanese' Worcestershire sauce instead of the more common variety is the significant difference in flavor. Japanese Worcestershire sauce is less acidic and has a slight sweetness. If you want to replicate the authentic flavor of yakisoba, it is best to use the Japanese version.

• Sake

It adds richness and flavor. This seasoning contains alcohol, but it evaporates during the stir-frying of the yakisoba noodles. However, if you plan to use the yakisoba sauce without heating it, and you either have children or cannot consume alcohol, you should omit it.

• Sugar

It adds sweetness and depth. Yakisoba is not a sweet dish, so be careful not to add too much.

• Soy Sauce

It adds a savory flavor. Adjust the saltiness of your yakisoba by adding this seasoning to your desired level.

• Oyster Sauce

It adds richness and umami. This seasoning is generally used in small quantities due to its distinctive flavor.

• Ketchup

It adds a mild acidity. Use ketchup instead of vinegar, as it is less sharp. This seasoning also contributes to the rich flavor of tomatoes.

This yakisoba sauce recipe can be adjusted to suit your personal taste. It is tailored to my palate, but if you want to make it a bit saltier, you can add some soy sauce. If you prefer a little more acidity, you can add a bit of ketchup to achieve a flavor that better suits your preference.

Additionally, if you can't find all the ingredients, you can try using just Japanese Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. With only these two ingredients, you should still be able to make a pretty decent yakisoba sauce.

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients (Japanese Worcestershire sauce, sake, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and ketchup) and mix well.

To store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a month.