Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian)

Simple yet incredibly flavorful noodles tossed in a fragrant oil infused with browned scallions.

Instructions

1. 1.

   Prepare the scallions: Wash and thoroughly dry the green onions. Cut off the root ends. Cut the green onions into 2-3 inch long sections. Separate the white/light green parts from the darker green parts if desired, as the darker greens tend to crisp up faster.

2. 2.

   Make the scallion oil: Heat the neutral cooking oil in a large wok or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add all the cut green onions to the cold oil. The low heat is crucial for slowly extracting the flavor without burning.

3. 3.

   Slowly fry the scallions: Continue to cook the scallions over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes. The scallions will first soften, then turn yellow, then golden, and finally deep brown and crispy. Do not rush this process; slow cooking develops the best flavor. Once they are uniformly dark brown and crispy (but not burnt), remove the scallions with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Keep the fragrant scallion oil in the wok.

4. 4.

   Prepare the sauce: With the heat still on low, add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and granulated sugar directly into the residual scallion oil in the wok. Stir well until the sugar dissolves and the sauce just begins to bubble gently. Turn off the heat. Taste and adjust sweetness/saltiness if necessary.

5. 5.

   Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. For fresh noodles, this usually takes 2-3 minutes; for dried, it can be 5-8 minutes. Drain the noodles thoroughly.

6. 6.

   Assemble the dish: Add the hot, drained noodles directly into the wok with the scallion oil sauce. Toss vigorously to ensure the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce. Divide the noodles among four serving bowls.

7. 7.

   Garnish and serve: Top each bowl of noodles generously with the crispy fried scallions prepared earlier. You can also garnish with a few fresh, thinly sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately.