Somen salad is one of my favorite midnight snacks. I almost always have the ingredients around, and it makes me think of Hawaii. The first time Eric tried it, he said “Wow, that’s very Asian!” (that was a compiment in case you were wondering) Instead of lettuce being the base for the salad, it’s noodles! The dressing is also made with soy sauce and rice vinegar, and it includes SPAM. Not your typical American salad. But I can eat a ton of it!
Out of curiousity, I searched for some somen salad recipes, and found each one to be different. But this is the one I found easiest to make with things you’re likely to have around the house. For instance, it’s called somen salad because you typically use somen noodles. But I buy the Sam’s Club box of Ramen noodles and so use a package of those. Also, it often has fish cake and char siu pork, but those aren’t ingredients I use often, so I go with SPAM. Usually the sesame seeds are mixed in the dressing, but if you’re storing it for a while, they get all bloated and gross, so I add them to the salad.
If you’re not afraid of SPAM, or even if you are, give this recipe a try. It’s a nice blend of flavors, textures and temperatures. I’d suggest preparing the dressing in advance so it can be refrigerated beforehand, but it’s not necessary. The dressing recipe is enough for several salads, the salad recipe serves one or two depending on how hungry you are!
SOMEN SALAD:
Two slices of SPAM cut into cubes
2 eggs
2 inch section of cucumber cut into chunks
2 large handfuls of chopped romaine lettuce
1 package ramen noodles
1/4 tsp sesame seeds
DRESSING:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/8 cup sugar
3 TBS sesame oil
For the dressing, mix all ingredients in a dressing bottle or jar. (I use a bottled water bottle) Mix until sugar dissolves and then refrigerate. Shake well before using.
For the salad, cook noodles according to package directions, do not use flavoring package.
While they’re cooking, scramble the eggs and cook in frying pan. Set aside. In the same pan, fry SPAM until slightly browned.
When noodles are done, drain, and place in bottom of bowl. Top with lettuce, SPAM, eggs and cucumber. Pour dressing over salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
