Discover the perfect recipe for scallion noodles with ground pork, also known as Cong You Ban Mian, a popular Shanghainese dish that combines the rich flavors of fried scallions and savory soy sauce. This recipe, adapted from “Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,” offers a quick and satisfying meal ideal for weeknights.
In Cong You Ban Mian, thinly sliced scallions are fried until crispy, infusing the cooking oil with their robust flavor. These crisped scallions then blend seamlessly with the noodles, creating a dish that’s bursting with deep, bold flavors. Ground pork is browned in the scallion-infused oil and then simmered with soy sauce and sugar, resulting in a savory-sweet sauce that coats each strand of noodle perfectly.
This dish is best made with dried Asian wheat noodles, similar in size to thin spaghetti. Non-instant dried ramen or thin lo mein noodles are excellent choices. For an extra kick, sprinkle thinly sliced fresh chilies on top, though this is not traditional, it adds a welcome heat that balances the dish’s richness.
Scallion Noodles With Ground Pork Recipe:
Start to finish: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 bunches scallions
- 10 ounces dried Asian wheat noodles
- 1/3 cup grapeseed or other neutral oil
- 8 ounces ground pork
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- Kosher salt
- 1 or 2 Fresno or jalapeño chilies, stemmed and sliced into thin rounds (optional)
Directions:
- In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. While the water heats, cut the scallions into 2- to 3-inch lengths and slice lengthwise into thin strips, keeping the whites and greens separate. Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook until tender, according to package instructions. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool; set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the scallion whites and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add about half of the scallion greens and cook, stirring occasionally, until well-browned and beginning to crisp, another 5 to 8 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Add the pork to the oil remaining in the pan and cook over medium, stirring to break the meat into small pieces, until well-browned and crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce and sugar, then bring to a simmer, scraping up any bits stuck to the pan.
- Reduce to low and add the noodles and fried scallions. Cook, tossing to combine, until the noodles are heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat, taste, and season with salt. Toss in the remaining scallion greens. Divide among individual bowls and top with fresh chilies if using.
Enjoy a meal that’s rich in flavor and easy to prepare with this scallion noodles with ground pork recipe. Perfect for any weeknight dinner, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
