Skip to main content

Fresh Egg Pasta with Seared Lamb, Asian Vegetables, and Sweet Soy-Ginger Sauce

To tell you the truth, I first created this dish by accident, when I added lamb instead of beef by mistake. But when I tasted it, I realized it was no mistake! Lamb might not be a traditional Japanese ingredient, but it’s delicious when mixed with these Asian flavors and vegetables. If you prefer beef, though, you can always use that instead. Follow the fresh Egg Pasta recipe on page 112, but leave out the optional squid ink.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

Sweet Soy-Ginger Sauce

1/2 teaspoon grated garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1/2 cup Japanese soy sauce
1/2 cup mirin
4 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon tobanjan (Chinese chili paste)
25 pea pods, stemmed, veins removed
1 pound Egg Pasta (page 112; omit optional squid ink) or spaghetti
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound lamb shoulder chop, thinly sliced
3 cups stemmed chopped napa cabbage
20 pieces canned baby corn, halved lengthwise
3 cups stemmed sliced shiitake mushrooms
2 cups sliced onion
3 cups bean sprouts
Pinch of pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.

    Step 2

    Prepare an ice bath and place a large pot of salted water over high heat. When the water comes to a boil, add the pea pods and cook for 1 minute. Remove the pea pods and submerge in the ice bath (don’t discard the cooking water). Once cool (about 30 seconds), pat the pea pods dry. Cut in half and set aside.

    Step 3

    Return the water to a boil and stir in the pasta. At the same time, place a very large sauté pan over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once the oil just begins to smoke, add the lamb and cook on one side for 30 seconds, then flip the lamb over and stir in the cabbage, baby corn, mushrooms, and onion. Cook for 2 minutes. By this time, the pasta should be cooked through (be careful not to overcook). Drain the pasta and add it to the sauté pan along with the reserved soy-ginger sauce. Mix well, then add the bean sprouts and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds longer, or until the bean sprouts are warm.

    Step 4

    Remove the pan from the heat. Divide the noodles, lamb, and vegetables among 4 plates and serve.

Takashi's Noodles
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.