Spicy Garlic Shiitake Noodles

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 200 g/7 oz instant ramen noodles
• 150 g/5.5 oz shiitakes, torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp crushed red chili flakes
• 1 tsp crushed Sichuan peppercorns
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 30 g/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• black pepper
• 2 eggs, soft-boiled
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, for serving
• 5 scallions, finely chopped + more for serving

spicy soy sauce

• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp mirin, or 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 4 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp or 1 tbsp sambal, more if you like it super hot
• 1 tsp brown sugar

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl.
2. Add water to a small sauce pan, once boiling, add eggs, boil for 6 minutes. Run under cool water, set aside.Cook the noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water, and run the noodles under cool water to stop the cooking.
3. In the meantime prepare the shiitakes. In a large skillet, heat the oil over high. Add shiitakes, cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat, add garlic, ginger, chili flakes and Sichuan pepper. Cook for 2 minutes. Add butter, stir until it melts. Stir in scallions and season with black pepper.
4. Add the sauce, bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in noodles and 1/4 cup cooking water. Simmer, tossing occasionally, until sauce begins to cling to noodles, about 30 seconds.
5. Divide noodles among plates, top with a soft-boiled egg, sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Add more sambal if you can handle the heat, enjoy!