Craving a symphony of textures and flavors in a single bite? Get ready to experience the magic of my Chang's Crispy Noodle Salad: a delightful explosion of crunchy noodles, fresh veggies, and a tangy-sweet dressing that will leave you wanting more. Prepare to discover the secrets of this irresistible dish and learn how to create your own restaurant-worthy salad at home!
Ingredients
For this awesome Changs Crispy Noodle Salad, I've got a few key ingredients we need to gather—so let's get to it!
First, we have to use one Chinese cabbage! Wombok is what you might know it as. Otherwise, you could use half a giant one. Then, we need 100g of Chang's crispy noodles—the fine ones, not the chunky ones.
Next up, grab 5 green onions and slice 'em nice and thin on the diagonal. I know, it sounds fancy, but you can handle it! And don't forget 100g of slivered almonds. We're not skipping these bad boys. The addition of almonds is sure to create a nice textural element to complement the fresh flavors.
Now, for the dressing, you'll need 4 tablespoons of white vinegar—don't get too fancy, just the usual stuff! Mix in 2 tablespoons of white sugar (or brown, if you're feeling adventurous). We will also need 2 tablespoons of soy sauce—all-purpose or light, not the dark stuff. Finally, add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil—toasted, brown—and 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Almost there!
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients—that was kinda fun, wasn't it?—let's get the show on the road with the instructions!
First, I lightly toast the slivered almonds in a skillet over medium heat until they're lightly browned—no oil needed here! Remove them immediately and let 'em cool.
Next, I shake the dressing ingredients in a jar until the sugar dissolves. I promise; it's easier than it sounds! And hey, good news: this dressing keeps for up to three weeks!
Then, shred the cabbage! Cut a slit down the middle lengthwise. Finely slice it so it's shredded. I only use the top 1/2 – 2/3, mostly leafy part. Save the thick crunchy white part for stir-fries later—yum! Like the fresh and crunchy Asian slaw, this salad brings the perfect texture to any dish.
Now, I place the cabbage in a big bowl with the toasted almonds and green onions. Then, I pour over the dressing, and toss it all really well.
Finally—the most important part—add those crispy noodles right before serving so they stay, well, crispy!
Recipe Notes
Regarding the cabbage—you will need 8 heaped cups – lots! I think that Chinese cabbage, also known as wombok, really is the best for this salad. Regular cabbage is too stiff, you know? It won't flop nicely with the dressing which makes it a bit soggy if you let it sit for too long—and nobody wants soggy cabbage!
Crispy noodles are the key—Chang's Crispy Noodles are what you are looking for. I like to get mine at Coles & Woolies in Australia. Can't find them? I've had success using baked ramen or even plain instant noodles. Just ditch the seasoning, break 'em up, spray with oil, and bake at 180°C/350°F for about 10 minutes, tossing halfway. It totally works!
This salad is best fresh unlike coleslaw. I like to prep everything but don't toss it all together until right before serving, so you keep those noodles good and crispy. I also LOVE this salad for lunch with some shredded chicken.
Short Recipe Version
Changs Crispy Noodle Salad Recipe (Concise)
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Serving Size: 6
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 package (3 oz) ramen noodles, crushed
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Whisk together oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder for the dressing.
- Toast almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown.
- Combine lettuce, carrots, and green onions in a large bowl.
- Add crushed ramen noodles and toasted almonds.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Estimated):
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 8g