Neoburi Soba 

Hey there, noodle lovers! If you’re into unique and fun twists on traditional dishes, then you’re in for a treat! Neoburi Soba is a take on the classic Abura Soba, but instead of using the usual ramen, we’re going to use Neoguri, a spicy, comforting instant ramen that brings the perfect balance of heat and flavor to this dish. Inspired by Song Yunhyeong’s recipe from an episode of iKON TV, I’ve added some personal touches like a soy-marinated egg yolk, glazed spam, and air-fried prawn katsu for extra flavor. Trust me, it’s going to be a favorite in no time!

Method

Prepare the Ingredients 

Start by chopping the onion, spring onion, and spam into thin strips. Set them aside for later use. The vegetables and spam need to be ready for quick cooking, so it’s important to have them prepped before starting the cooking process.

Make the Sauce 

In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients  sugar, light soy sauce, half of the Neoguri seasoning mix, olive oil, sesame oil, and chicken powder. Stir everything together until it’s well-mixed. This sauce is the key to adding rich flavors to your Neoburi Soba, so make sure it’s combined well.

Cook the Spam 

Heat a little oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the spam strips and fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy. This will take a few minutes. Once the spam is crispy, add 1 tsp of sugar and 1 tsp of soy sauce to the pan. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spam is well-glazed and caramelized.

Cook the Noodles 

While the spam is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the Neoguri noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions, which usually takes around 5 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside. You can reserve some of the noodle water to adjust the sauce consistency later if needed.

Mix the Noodles and Sauce 

In a large bowl, add the cooked noodles and pour the prepared sauce over them. Toss the noodles well to ensure the sauce evenly coats every strand. This step is essential to infuse the noodles with all the delicious flavors of the sauce.

Assemble the Dish 

Now it’s time to assemble the dish. Start by adding the glazed spam pieces to the top of the noodles, followed by the diced onion, chopped spring onion, and prawn katsu. For extra flavor and texture, garnish with thin strips of seaweed and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Don’t forget to top the noodles with the marinated egg yolk (or regular egg yolk), which will give the dish a creamy richness when mixed.

Enjoy Your Neoburi Soba 

Finally, give everything a good mix in the bowl. The combination of the savory spam, crispy prawn katsu, tangy marinated egg yolk, and aromatic seaweed will create a delicious and satisfying noodle dish. Enjoy your Neoburi Soba right away, and indulge in the perfect blend of flavors and textures!

Necessary Tools 

  • Knife for chopping vegetables and spam
  • Cutting board
  • Bowl for mixing the sauce
  • Frying pan for cooking spam and veggies
  • Pot for boiling noodles
  • Spoon or spatula for stirring
  • Bowl for mixing everything together

Neoburi Soba 

Recipe by Justin SelkCuisine: KoreanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Neoguri ramen

  • 1/2 onion, diced

  • 2 spring onion stalks, finely chopped

  • 2 slices spam, cut into strips (cooked with 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp soy sauce)

  • 1 soy-marinated egg yolk (or regular egg yolk)

  • Marinate by combining 2 tbsp light soy sauce and 1 tbsp mirin. Adjust according to taste. Marinate the egg yolk the day before.

  • 1 prawn katsu, cooked

  • Seaweed, cut into thin strips

  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)

  • Sauce

  • 1/2 tbsp sugar

  • 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce

  • 1/2 packet Neoguri seasoning mix

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil

  • 1/4 tsp chicken powder

Directions

  • Cook the Spam
    Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spam strips and fry them until they’re brown and crispy. Once done, add sugar and soy sauce to the pan, and cook for a couple more minutes until glazed.
  • Cook the Noodles
    Boil the Neoguri noodles according to the packet instructions, which usually takes around 5 minutes.
  • Mix the Noodles and Sauce
    Once the noodles are cooked, add them to a bowl. Pour the sauce over the noodles and give it a good mix so the noodles are well-coated.
  • Assemble the Dish
    Top the noodles with the glazed spam pieces, diced onion, spring onion, prawn katsu, and the marinated egg yolk. You can also add some thin strips of seaweed and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Enjoy Your Neoburi Soba!
    Mix everything together in the bowl and enjoy the deliciousness of your Neoburi Soba! The combination of savory, spicy, and crispy elements makes this dish a real winner.

Notes

  • Spam Cooking  When cooking the spam, be careful not to burn it, as the sugar can cause it to caramelize quickly.
  • Marinating the Egg Yolk  Marinating the egg yolk the day before can help it absorb the flavors better. Make sure to adjust the seasoning to your preference to avoid it being too salty.
  • Air-frying the Prawn Katsu  If you’re using frozen prawn katsu, follow the instructions on the package for air-frying. You want it crispy, but don’t overcook it, or it could get too dry.

Serving Suggestions 

Neoburi Soba is a great standalone dish, but you can pair it with a refreshing side salad or some pickled vegetables to balance out the rich flavors. If you want to make it even more indulgent, serve it with some crispy gyoza or even some tempura on the side!

Fun Fact 

Did you know that “Abura Soba” literally translates to “oil noodles” in Japanese? It’s called this because the noodles are typically tossed with oil and soy sauce rather than being served in a broth. It’s a tasty and satisfying dish that you can find in many ramen shops across Japan.

Conclusion 

This Neoburi Soba is a fun and flavorful twist on a classic dish that’s easy to make and oh-so-satisfying. The rich flavors of the sauce combined with the crispy spam, prawn katsu, and marinated egg yolk make for a delicious noodle experience. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing friends, this noodle hack is guaranteed to be a hit!

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