Yakisoba

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌjɑkiˈsoʊbə/

Definitions

1. A Japanese stir-fried noodle dish typically made with wheat noodles, vegetables, and a savory sauce
2. A popular street food originating from Japan, often featuring stir-fried noodles with meat and a variety of toppings
3. A dish consisting of pan-fried noodles seasoned with sauce, commonly served in food stalls and restaurants in Japan

Etymology: Yakisoba is a compound of two Japanese words: "yaki", meaning "grilled" or "fried" (from the verb "yaku", to grill or fry), and "soba", meaning "noodles". Literally, the name is "fried noodles," and it is a fitting label for a dish of wheat noodles stir-fried on a hot griddle with vegetables, meat or seafood, and a thick, sweet-savoury sauce. The name's logic is plain, but the dish's name carries a useful surprise: "soba" in Japan usually means buckwheat noodles, yet yakisoba is made with wheat-based noodles. The word kept the old term for noodles even though the dish is built on a different kind of noodle, so the name reflects a general category rather than the ingredient itself.

Synonyms: fried noodles, stir-fried noodles