Classic Champon Recipe

2022-11-01

By Umami Sensei

Japanese Cuisine

Main Course

Try this authentic Japanese recipe for Champon, a hearty noodle soup packed with seafood, pork, and vegetables. 

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A popular Japanese noodle dish that was originally developed in Nagasaki, a city located on the island of Kyushu in the southern part of Japan. Nagasaki has a long history of cultural exchange with foreign countries, due to its location as a port city. Champon, which means "mixed up" in Chinese, was created in Nagasaki in the early 20th century by Chinese chefs who were working in local restaurants. 

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The dish was created as a way to incorporate a variety of ingredients, including fresh seafood and vegetables, into a single dish that could be served quickly and satisfyingly. Champon typically consists of a variety of meats and seafood, such as pork, shrimp, squid, and fish, stir-fried with a variety of vegetables, such as cabbage, onion, bean sprouts, and carrots. 

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The mixture is then simmered in a broth made from pork bones, and served over noodles. The noodles used in champon are a type of wheat noodle that is similar to the Chinese egg noodle. 

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Champon has become a popular dish in other parts of Japan and can be found in many restaurants outside of Nagasaki as well. However, it is still most closely associated with Nagasaki and is considered a local specialty of the region.

Pitfalls on Champon

 Achieving the perfect broth: the broth is the heart of Champon, and creating the ideal balance of flavors can be a difficult challenge.

 Balancing ingredients: Champon is a complex dish, with various ingredients that must work together in harmony.

 Achieving the right noodle texture: the noodles in Champon must be cooked just right to achieve the perfect texture and not become too mushy.

 Properly cooking seafood: Champon typically includes a variety of seafood ingredients that must be cooked evenly and properly, without overcooking or undercooking.

 Consistently preparing the dish: as with any dish, making Champon consistently and to the same high standard requires practice, patience, and attention to detail.

Ingredients

• 250g pork belly, sliced

• 200g seafood (shrimps, squid, mussels)

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1 carrot, sliced

• 150g mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, shimeji)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp sake

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp garlic, chopped

• 1 tbsp ginger, grated

• 800ml chicken broth

• 200g Chinese noodles

• 2 stalks of green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat oil and add pork belly slices. Cook until browned.

2. Add chopped onion, carrot, ginger, and garlic. Fry for 2-3 minutes.

3. Add chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sake, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

4. Add sliced mushrooms and seafood. Simmer for another 5 minutes.

5. Cook the Chinese noodles according to package instructions and add them to the pot.

6. Add chopped green onions, stir and simmer for another 2 minutes.

7. Serve hot and enjoy your Champon!

Preparation Time 20 min

Cook Time 30 min

Total time 50 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 550

Fat: 15 g

Saturated Fat: 4 g

Carbohydrates: 60 g

Fiber: 7 g

Sugar: 8 g

Protein: 35 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Champon

Nagasaki (the birthplace of champon), they use seafood broth and add a combination of seafood, pork, and vegetables to the noodles, creating a dish known as "Nagasaki Champon".

Hokkaido, they use butter in the broth and add scallops, shrimp, and vegetables (such as potatoes and corn) to the noodles, creating a dish known as "Hokkaido Butter Champon".

Tokyo, they add thinly-sliced meat (such as pork or chicken) and bok choy to the noodles and serve it in a soy sauce-based broth, creating a dish known as "Tokyo-style Champon".

Hiroshima, they add a variety of pork, seafood, and vegetables to the noodles and serve it with a clear soup made with dried sardines, creating a dish known as "Hiroshima Champon".

Kumamoto, they use a pork bone-based broth and add vegetables (such as cabbage and bean sprouts), pork, and garlic to the noodles, creating a dish known as "Kumamoto Garlic Champon".

Make this hearty and flavorful Champon, a traditional Japanese noodle soup packed with pork, seafood, and vegetables. Share your dish on social media and use the hashtags #champon #JapaneseFood #SeafoodLovers #NoodleSoup #UmamiFlavors #Kyushu #hiverecipes