The Classic Wombok and Crispy Noodle BBQ Salad

There are certain dishes that are so deeply embedded in the Australian backyard barbecue tradition that they feel less like recipes and more like childhood memories. This is one of them. Finely shredded wombok, toasted slivered almonds, diagonal slices of fresh spring onion, and a generous handful of Yunion crispy noodles, all tossed at the very last second in a simple, tangy sesame soy dressing that somehow makes the whole thing taste like summer. It requires zero cooking, comes together in under 15 minutes, and produces a salad so satisfying in its crunch and freshness that it upstages almost everything else on the table. Here at Yunion, our crispy noodles are the ingredient that makes this salad genuinely iconic — and we'll admit we're a little bit proud of that.

Serves: 6-8 as a side Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: None

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 1 small head wombok (napa cabbage), very finely shredded

• 1 packet Yunion Plain Crispy Noodles

• 100g slivered almonds, toasted in a dry pan until golden

• 4 spring onions, sliced diagonally into thin pieces

• 1 large carrot, julienned or grated, optional

• Fresh coriander leaves, optional

For the dressing:

• 3 tbsp light soy sauce

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp neutral oil

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated

• 1 clove garlic, finely minced

  
  

Method

• Shred the wombok as finely as possible. The finer the shred the better the salad — thin, delicate strands of cabbage absorb the dressing more evenly and create a much more elegant texture than thick, chunky pieces. A sharp knife and a little patience here makes a big difference to the finished dish.

• Toast the slivered almonds. Place them in a dry frying pan over medium heat and stir constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn a deep, even golden colour. Watch them carefully as they go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly. Tip onto a plate to cool completely before adding to the salad.

• Combine all dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Seal and shake vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved and the dressing is well emulsified. Taste and adjust — it should be a clean balance of salty, tangy, and sweet with a distinct sesame fragrance.

• Place the shredded wombok, spring onions, toasted almonds, and any optional additions in a large serving bowl. Keep the Yunion crispy noodles separate at this stage.

• This next step is the most important rule of this entire recipe. Add the dressing and the crispy noodles to the salad at the absolute last possible second before serving. Not five minutes before. Not while guests are arriving. At the very last second. The moment the dressing hits the noodles they begin to soften, and a soggy crispy noodle salad is a tragedy that is entirely avoidable.

• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Add the Yunion crispy noodles, give one final toss, and carry straight to the table.

  
  

Tips

• The last-second assembly rule cannot be overstated. Every element of this salad can be prepared hours ahead of time — the cabbage shredded, the almonds toasted, the dressing mixed and jarred — but the dressing and noodles must go in at the very last moment. Set everything up in advance and finish it at the table if you need to.

• Toasting the almonds properly is worth the extra five minutes. Raw slivered almonds are pale and bland. Deeply golden toasted almonds are nutty, fragrant, and add a completely different dimension to the salad. Don't skip this step and don't rush it.

• This salad is endlessly customisable for different occasions. Add shredded poached chicken for a more substantial meal. Swap almonds for cashews or sesame seeds. Add sliced sugar snap peas or edamame for extra colour and freshness. The crispy noodles and the dressing are the constants — everything else is up for negotiation.

  
  

Find Yunion Near You

Our full range of fresh noodles is available at select supermarkets and Asian grocery stores across Perth. Find your nearest stockist and make your next family gathering one to remember.