Yat Gaw Mein

Yat gaw mein is a popular Chinese-American dish that goes by many names, including "yat ga mein," "yao ti mian," and "lo mein soup noodles." The name "yat gaw mein" specifically refers to the version of the dish that is popular in New Orleans, Louisiana.

At its core, yat gaw mein is a simple noodle soup made with fresh egg noodles, chicken or beef broth, and various toppings. Here are the basic steps to make it:

1. Start by cooking the fresh egg noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the noodles in cold water to stop the cooking process.

2. While the noodles are cooking, make the broth. You can use store-bought chicken or beef broth, or make your own by simmering chicken or beef bones with aromatics like garlic, ginger, and scallions.

3. Once the broth is ready, season it with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and white pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings like sesame oil or mushroom seasoning if you like.

4. Divide the noodles into bowls and ladle the hot broth over them.

5. Top the noodles and broth with your choice of toppings. Traditional toppings for yat gaw mein include sliced roast pork, barbecued pork, or shrimp, but you can use any protein you like. You can also add vegetables like bean sprouts, bok choy, or mushrooms.

6. Garnish the bowl with chopped scallions and serve hot.

That's it! Yat gaw mein is a simple, comforting noodle soup that's easy to customize to your liking. Enjoy!