What is Yakisoba? And Why is it So Good?

Daikin’s Arash Ghoja making Yakisoba at the Daikin Festival.

Yakisoba is one more reason the Daikin Festival is so fun and rewarding. Made from stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and a choice of protein, it is a classic Japanese street food.

The dish’s foundation, wheat noodles, are stir-fried to perfection, giving them a slightly crispy exterior and a tender interior. The vegetables and proteins are cooked separately, each ingredient taking on a unique flavor and texture that blend harmoniously when combined with the noodles.

Yakisoba’s irresistible appeal lay in its perfect balance of flavors, textures, and its humble origins. The true magic, however, lies in the sauce. There are many different recipes, but yakisoba sauce has been refined over generations, and is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy.

The sauce is sometimes made from a mix of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, ketchup, and a dash of sugar. This blend brings out the best in each ingredient, creating a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds. Our Daikin Festival recipe, however, is a closely held secret.

Yakisoba’s humble origins as a street food meant that it was accessible to people of all backgrounds, bringing them together to enjoy a shared culinary experience. Travelers to Japan from all corners of the world have been known to fall in love with it, thus ensuring this iconic Japanese comfort food would spread across the globe.

When you come to the Daikin Festival on May 5, from 6:30pm until 9pm, try this simple yet satisfying dish, made with love and skill, that has the power to connect people and create lasting memories. Like everything at the Festival, it’s FREE.

Why is it so good? Because it touches the soul, bringing people together through the universal language of flavor and food.