Shanghai scallion oil noodles are the ultimate comfort food — simply cooked noodles tossed in fragrant scallion oil with soy sauce. The magic is entirely in the scallion oil, which takes time to make properly.
Scallion oil noodles are perhaps the most iconic everyday dish of Shanghai. Every Shanghai family has their own version, and the dish is served everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants. The secret is the slow-fried scallion oil — the low temperature and long cooking time extract maximum flavor and sweetness from the scallions while creating crispy scallion chips as a bonus. The dish is deceptively simple: just noodles, oil, soy sauce, and scallions, but when done right, it is deeply satisfying. It is the default late-night meal, the comfort food when feeling unwell, and the breakfast of choice for many Shanghainese.