Since I’m a big fan of soups, there is a soup from the south of the USA that is little known in Europe. In New Orleans this is mainly considered a hangover breakfast there. It’s the Yock or Chicken Yock a Mein. Never heard of it? I find these Chicken Yock Noodles, as being the perfect mix in between a ramen and a soup, the fusion between the warmth of the Creole flavors and the Asian style ramen.
Don’t want chicken in your YOCK? No problem you can just use any meat!
Yields: 4 portion
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total: 40 mins
What is the Chicken Yok Noodles?
If you take a look into the chicken yok a mein bowls you’ll see some stewed chicken, spaghetti noodles, chicken broth, boiled eggs, chopped green onions and a warm mix of Creole spices. The perfect fusion of Asian and Creole cuisine with a Louisiana’s flair – New Orleans best kept secret to sober up in the morning after a hangover! I consider this recipe as the perfect brunch on a lazy Sunday morning.
Chicken Yock A Mein
- Meat – Chicken thighs and drumsticks can make a great stew. However, if you prefer you can also use chicken breast cut it into strips so that it cooks faster and looks perfect in a finished bowl. In truth, any meat can be used in the yakamein including brisket, stew meat, pork, pork belly, sausage, shrimp and lobster.
- Chicken broth – You can use store bought chicken broth or homemade chicken broth. In fact, the success of your yok is determined by the authentic taste of the broth. .
- Sauces – Soy sauce, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.
- Spices and seasonings – Creole seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, cayenne, thyme, black pepper.
- Spaghetti – Though the mein refers to noodles, traditionally this dish uses spaghetti since noodles were hard to find and expensive.
- Toppings – Hard or soft boiled egg, green onions, hot chilli sauce are all optional according to you preferences.
How to make Yakamein at home
- Marinate the chicken or protein of your choice with soy sauce and creole spices some hours before but if you don’t have time even a quick marinade can work.
- Start by searing the chicken adding taste to the final stew. (Optional)
- Calmly skip this step 2 if you’re in a hurry.
- Add the chicken broth and the meat in a pot stirring all the spices, the soy sauce and the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the stew to boil and then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. I suggest to keep stirring the pot every 5 minutes. I love to leave the chicken cooking for over an hour but you can vary this as long as the meat is cooked throughout.
- Boil the eggs according to your liking and chop the green onions while waiting for the stew to be ready.
- Add the spaghetti to the stew or noodles following the package instructions. Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes following the package instructions and until until the chicken is cooked, soft and tender. If you’re going to add shrimps add them only in the last 5 minutes as they cook very fast.
- Assemble the bowl, choose a large bowl adding some noodles and a ladle of broth. Then place gently the chicken strips and top with the green onions and the sliced eggs. I don’t like adding the hot sauce but you can add some for extra flavor according to your liking. Enjoy your Yok, Yock or Yak!
You might like more…
- 15-minute Bibim Myeon
- Easy Yaki Udon Noodle Stirfry
- Best Chicken in Sweet And Sour Sauce
- Meatballs in Sweet and Sour Sauce
Chicken Yok a Mein
Ingredients
Meat & Shrimp
- 1.5 lb chicken or meat of your choice cut into 1/2 inch strips
- 1/2 lbs shrimp peeled and deveined (optional)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
Toppings
- 4 eggs, boiled
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1/2 chopped scallions for garnishing
Meat Marinate
- 2 tsp creole seasoning
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Broth & Seasoning
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp creole seasoning
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Start with the Marinade
- Marinate the chicken or protein of your choice with soy sauce and creole spices some hours before but if you don’t have time even a quick marinade can work.
- Start by searing the chicken adding taste to the final stew. (Optional)
- Calmly skip this step 2 if you’re in a hurry.
Start the stew
- Add the chicken broth and the meat in a pot stirring all the spices, the soy sauce and the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the stew to boil and then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. I suggest to keep stirring the pot every 5 minutes. I love to leave the chicken cooking for over an hour but you can vary this as long as the meat is cooked throughout.
Prepare the toppings
- Boil the eggs according to your liking and chop the green onions while waiting for the stew to be ready.
Cook Shrimp, Noodles & Serve
- Add the spaghetti to the stew or noodles following the package instructions. Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes following the package instructions and until until the chicken is cooked, soft and tender. If you’re going to add shrimps add them only in the last 5 minutes as they cook very fast.
- Assemble the bowl, choose a large bowl adding some noodles and a ladle of broth. Then place gently the chicken strips and top with the green onions and the sliced eggs. I don’t like adding the hot sauce but you can add some for extra flavor according to your liking. Enjoy your Yok, Yock or Yak!