Cold Noodles with Seasonal Vegetables

Ingredients

1. 160 g noodles
2. 1 cucumber
3. 80 g shredded pork
4. 1 egg
5. Carrot, mung bean sprouts, and white sesame seeds, as needed
6. Light soy sauce, black pepper, salt, vinegar, chili oil, and vegetable oil, as needed

Instructions

1. Prepare cucumber, carrot, noodles, egg, mung bean sprouts, shredded pork, and seasonings.
2. Wash the cucumber and cut it into thin strips.
3. Rinse the mung bean sprouts well.
4. Peel the carrot and cut it into thin strips.
5. Marinate the shredded pork with light soy sauce, black pepper, and a little salt for about 30 minutes.
6. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the mung bean sprouts until cooked, then remove them.
7. Rinse the cooked bean sprouts under cool water and drain well.
8. Heat a little oil in a pan, crack in the egg, and fry it sunny-side up.
9. Stir-fry the carrot briefly with a little salt and seasoning, then set aside.
10. Heat a little oil and stir-fry the marinated shredded pork until fully cooked.
11. Place all prepared toppings in a bowl or on a tray while you cook the noodles.
12. Add a few drops of vinegar and a little salt to boiling water, then cook the noodles until just tender.
13. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cool water for a refreshing texture.
14. Toss the noodles with a little salt, oil, and vinegar, then spread them on a serving plate.
15. Arrange the cucumber, carrot, bean sprouts, shredded pork, and other toppings over the noodles.
16. Place the fried egg in the center and sprinkle with white sesame seeds.
17. For a spicy version, drizzle a sour-spicy sauce or chili oil over the noodles.
18. Serve cold or at room temperature as a refreshing summer noodle meal.
19. Mix everything well before eating so the noodles absorb the sauce.

Cooking Tips

1. Rinsing the noodles under cool water keeps them springy and prevents sticking.
2. Use any crisp seasonal vegetables you like, such as cucumber, carrot, bean sprouts, or bell pepper.
3. Adjust vinegar and chili oil to make the sauce mild, tangy, or spicy.
4. Use chicken, ham, tofu, or omit the meat for a lighter version.
5. Use spaghetti or other wheat noodles if Chinese ramen-style noodles are unavailable.