Shrimp Yakisoba

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Shrimp Yakisoba is a Japanese favorite that's an ultra-satisfying stir-fried dish with bold flavors and an easy presentation! Featuring tender noodles, succulent shrimp, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all tied together with a delicious shoyu (soy sauce) sauce.

This shrimp stir fry with noodles is the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or casual get-together.

The shrimp is the highlight in this recipe, and the yakisoba, which are Japanese soft wheat noodles, soak up the bold sweet and savory sauce that's made of shoyu (soy sauce), worcestershire, oyster sauce, fresh ginger, and a good sprinkle of red pepper flakes to give it a little kick!

Asian seafood dishes are one of our favorites! I make them often for my family, since they're usually quick, hardy, and absolutely full of flavor.

To cook the shrimp from frozen on busy nights, I use my air fryer shrimp recipe, otherwise I turn to this method to quickly defrost prawns!

Other delicious Asian dishes I like to make are, canned tuna fried rice, air fried teriyaki salmon, furikake salmon, baked salmon sushi, or this shrimp poke bowl! We sure love them around here. If you do too, give one of them a try!

shrimp yakisoba with carrots noodles onion in a white bowl with chopsticks

Table of Contents

WHAT IS YAKISOBA

Yakisoba is an authentic Japanese stir-fried noodle dish that's served with a protein and veggies like cabbage, shredded carrots, yellow onion, and mixed in with a bold signature sauce.

Yakisoba noodles are a wheat noodle that are yellow in color. They are used specifically for this stir fry dish.

There are a ton of variations of yakisoba, especially using any protein imaginable. Most popular are yakisoba shrimp, chicken, beef, pork, and tofu.

This shrimp stir fry with noodles is a classic Asian recipe that's perfect for a hardy weeknight dinner.

HOW TO PICK THE BEST SHRIMP FOR THIS SEAFOOD YAKISOBA

When it comes to picking the right kind of shrimp for your yakisoba, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, make sure you're choosing fresh, high-quality shrimp.
Look for shrimp that are firm and have a bright, translucent color.
Avoid shrimp that look dull or discolored. This can be a sign that they're not as fresh.
You'll also want to consider the size of the shrimp. Large or extra-large shrimp are great for yakisoba, as they add a meaty texture and flavor to the dish.
Finally, choose whether you want to use fresh or frozen shrimp. Both can work well, but fresh shrimp will give you the best flavor and texture.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE IT

cooking oil. Use a flavorless oil, such as avocado oil, canola, or vegetable. I prefer to use avocado oil to make it healthier.
shrimp. Peeled and deveined. I prefer to use x-large shrimp.
fresh refrigerated yakisoba noodles. Or use dried noodles, and cook them separately.
yellow onion thinly sliced
carrots. Shredded, chopstick, or julienne cut.
shredded green cabbage
green onion sliced
pickled ginger. This is a key ingredient to top off this delicious shrimp stir fry with prior to serving!

For The Yakisoba Sauce

soy sauce. Use full-sodium soy sauce for this recipe.
worcestershire sauce. It adds a different note than soy sauce, and adds a great flavor to the dish.
oyster sauce. The sweetness from this sauce is essential to getting the right proportion of fish flavor and sweetness.
fresh ginger. I typically buy a few large pieces of ginger, clean them well, and put them in a ziploc bag in the freezer to always have fresh ginger on hand for recipes. It works like a charm! You can use dried ginger as well if you prefer.
Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

shirmp yakisoba stir fry in a large cast iron with chopsticks

HOW TO MAKE SHRIMP YAKISOBA

This flavorful seafood yakisoba recipe comes together easily with these few steps!

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, grated ginger, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Set it aside to use later.
Place a large wok or skillet on medium heat. Add the shrimp and 1 tablespoon of oil. Sautee until the shrimp turns pink. Remove them immediately and set them aside on a plate or a bowl.
To the pan, add the rest of the oil and cook the onions until they are softened.
Then, add the cabbage and carrots and stir-fry until they are slightly softened. This takes about 3-5 minutes.
Add the cooked noodles and the yakisoba sauce and toss until the noodles and vegetables are coated with the sauce.
Top with green onions and pickled sushi ginger, and serve hot!

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Change up the veggies. Use broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers as good substitutes for cabbage and carrots.
Try a store-bought pre-made yakisoba sauce. Though this homemade sauce is super easy and quick to whip up, if you'd rather not have all the ingredients on hand, try a pre-made yakisoba sauce.
Get creative with toppings. Use sesame seeds or other fun toppings.
Can't use Oyster sauce? Instead, use 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and 2 teaspoons of sugar to substitute.

EXPERT TIPS

When cooking the shrimp, be careful not to overcook them. As soon as they turn pink and opaque, remove them off of the heat and transfer to a plate or a bowl to cool immediately. This helps keeping them nice and plump!
If you're cooking your own dried yakisoba noodles, pay attention to the directions on the package to not overcook them. Cool them immediately.
Mix everything together well with the sauce! This ensures the flavors are evenly distributed throughout every bite!
If substituting ingredients, stay as close as possible to the suggested ingredients to ensure the dish turns out just as perfect!

SERVING TIPS

Get creative with your toppings for serving and add sesame seeds or pickled ginger.

Serve yakisoba shrimp in a rimmed plate or a bowl. Enjoy with chopsticks!

STORAGE TIPS

To store leftovers, place it in a airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because you're working with shrimp, enjoying it in within 2 days is best for freshness.

To reheat this dish, place it in a microwave-safe bowl or plate with a damp napkin on top and heat for a few minutes until warmed through.

shrimp yakisoba in a cast iron with yakisoba and shrimp bite in chopsticks

FAQ

What are other vegetables to use in shrimp yakisoba?

Cabbage, onions and carrots are the most common vegetables used in yakisoba. However, you can use other veggies like bell peppers, broccoli and snap peas.

How long to cook shrimp?

You should cook the shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as this can result in a tough and rubbery texture. Cool them immediately if you're not eating them right away, by placing them on a plate or bowl and away from heat.

Can I use pre-made yakisoba sauce instead?

Yes, you can use pre-made sauce instead of your own. Be mindful on the sugar and salt content of the sauce.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE

Crab rangoons are the perfect appetizer to a shrimp stir fry with noodles. Or try this clam dip that's creamy, flavorful, and easy to whip up!

And, who can say no to a seacuterie board as a side or starter to graze on!

RELATED RECIPES

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Shrimp stir fry with noodles is the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or casual get-together.

5 from 7 votes

Cuisine: Asian, Japanese, Seafood

Course: Main Course

Prep: 5

Cook: 20

Total: 25

Servings: servings

Print Pin Rate

Equipment

Wok or Stir fry pan

Ingredients

3 tablespoon cooking oil
1 lb raw shrimp peeled
16 oz fresh yakisoba noodles or 8 oz dried and cooked separately
½ large yellow onion thinly sliced
2 cup carrots, shredded or chopstick cut
3 cups shredded green cabbage
2 stalks green onion chopped to serve
pickled ginger to serve

For The Yakisoba Sauce

3 tablespoon soy sauce regular, full-sodium
1 tb worcestershire sauce
1 tb oyster sauce
2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or a ½ teaspoon dried
sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, grated ginger, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Set it aside to use later.
Place a large wok or skillet on medium heat. Add the shrimp and 1 tablespoon of oil. Sautee until the shrimp turns pink. Remove them immediately and set them aside on a plate or a bowl.
To the pan, add the rest of the oil and cook the onions until they are softened.
Then, add the cabbage and carrots and stir-fry until they are slightly softened. This takes about 3-5 minutes.
Add the cooked noodles and the yakisoba sauce and toss until the noodles and vegetables are coated with the sauce.
Top with green onions and pickled ginger, and serve hot!

Notes

STORAGE TIPS

To store leftovers, place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because you're working with shrimp, enjoying it within 2 days is best for freshness.