This is the most famous New Orleans soup you never heard of. Known as ”Ol Sober” for its ability to help after a night of over indulgence, this Creole spiced soup is tasty and brothy with plenty of protein.
Yaka mein (or yakamein) is a savory New Orleans beef noodle soup with Chinese-American and African-American roots, known as “Old Sober” for its hangover-curing reputation. It features a rich beef broth, spaghetti noodles, stewed beef, a hard-boiled egg, and green onions, often with Cajun seasoning and hot sauce. This comforting dish is a staple at local festivals, second lines, and corner stores, though it’s less common in restaurants outside of Louisiana.
Linda Green, featured in an episode of Netflix’s “Street Food USA,” is considered the mother of Yaka Mein in New Orleans. According to an article in Jackson, Mississippi’s Clarion-Ledger, she learned the recipe from her mother who learned it from her mother. Green sells her Yaka Mein at New Orleans festivals, such as the Jazz Festival, The Gumbo Festival and the French Quarter Fest.
According to Green, her grandmother’s home was next to a bar called Bean Brothers and her grandmother would sell the soup to people weary after a night of drinking and dancing. Green’s mother made it into a part time business, but never gave up her day job cooking in the New Orleans Public Schools.
Green, who also worked in the public schools, found a way to bring Yaka Mein to a wider audience. In 2005, Green was displaced from her job in the New Orleans schools, so she became the “Yaka Mein” lady full time.
Ms. Green sells her seasoning packets online, but we can an authentic recipe that is sure to please.
Start by cutting a roast into 1 inch cubes. In a bowl, toss beef with soy sauce and creole seasoning. Let sit for 30 minutes.
Next we use our fool proof method for hard cooked eggs. Using a covered pot with a steamer basket and 1 inch of water, steam eggs for 15 minutes. Remove eggs from pot and place immediately in an ice bath.
Using a heavy pan, heat oil. Place meat in a single layer and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes each side until browned. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions and drain. Transfer to a pot over medium heat. Add beef broth, cook until shrimp is pink.
Serve in a bowl with peeled egg, cut in half and garnish with green onions. Prepare hard boiled eggs using our Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs.
Equipment:
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Yakamein
In New Orleans this soup is known as ‘Ol Sober and its brothy base is a perfect hangover cure.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut roast into 1 inch cubes. In a bowl, toss beef with soy sauce and creole seasoning. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Using a covered pot with a steamer basket and 1 inch of water, steam eggs for 15 minutes. Remove eggs from pot and place immediately in an ice bath.
- Using a heavy pan, heat oil. Place meat in a single layer and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes each side until browned. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions and drain. Transfer to a pot over medium heat. Add beef broth, cook until shrimp is pink.
- Serve in a bowl with peeled egg, cut in half and garnish with green onions.