Last night my son asked me to make something special for dinner. It’s a Thai noodle dish from a restaurant that closed about eight years ago. The ingredients are pretty simple; udon noodles, chicken and vegetables cooked in a wok. The thing we all remember, that made the dish special was a smoky flavor.
I searched for smoky pan fired wok noodles recipes and came up with nothing. I have never used a liquid smoke product before but it seemed logical that mixed with fish sauce, soy sauce and some other Thai staples that might bring the flavor. I looked into liquid smoke. It turns out that there are many varieties as they are derived from wood smoke so, the next question was, what wood?
My local supermarket answered that question for me, since they only had hickory. It turned out pretty well, but I made some tweaks to the recipe regarding the failings that my family so lovingly pointed out.
Here is the recipe based on my second attempt
1 lb Udon, Ramen or noodles of choice
1 lb chicken, shrimp or tofu
3 scallions whites cut in 1” pieces, green sliced finely on bias, separated
carrots cut in planks
broccolini blanched and cut into 1” pieces
bamboo shoots (1/2 can, optional)
water chestnuts (1/2 can, optional)
3-5 thai chilis finely sliced (optional)
cilantro
lime wedges for serving
For Sauces
In one bowl for noodles mix:
1/4 cup dark soy sauce
2 tsp liquid smoke
In another bowl for protein and vegetables mix:
1/8 cup soy sauce
1 TBSP or more fish sauce
1 TBSP agave
1 TBSP sesame oil
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 TBSP or more ginger minced
1 TBSP or more garlic minced
2 tsp sweet chili
2 TBSP mirin
2 TBSP peanut oil
PREP:
Blanch broccolini then drop in ice bath
Cook noodles al dente in broccolini water
Rinse the noodles with cold water and drain in colander, splash with a bit of oil and toss well to prevent them from sticking together
Mix 1/4 cup dark soy sauce with 2 tsp liquid smoke
Mix 1/8 cup soy sauce with remaining sauce ingredients
Heat wok or large cast iron skillet medium high
Add 2 TBSP oil and add scallion whites
Cook protein 1-2 minutes
Add vegetables and sauce and cook until just tender
Remove and set aside
Wipe out pan and add more high heat oil until smoking
Add noodles and dark soy sauce/ liquid smoke move noodles around to coat and brown
Add protein and vegetables mix well and serve
Garnish with scallion greens, cilantro and lime wedges