Yaka mein facts for kids
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Yaka mein served in a bowl
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| Alternative names | Old sober, low-rent lo mein, Seventh ward mein |
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| Type | Beef noodle soup Chinese noodle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | Stewed beef (brisket), beef broth, spaghetti, hard-boiled egg, green onions |
Yaka mein (pronounced Yakamee) is a tasty beef noodle soup. You can find it in many restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's a special part of Louisiana Creole cuisine.
This soup has tender stewed beef, like brisket. It's served in a rich beef broth over noodles. The dish is topped with half a hard-boiled egg and fresh green onions. People often add Cajun or Creole spices and chili powder for extra flavor.
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Why People Love Yaka Mein
Yaka mein is sometimes called "Old Sober." This is because many locals believe it helps them feel better after a long night. It's a popular comfort food in New Orleans.
Where to Find It
You can often find Yaka mein sold at New Orleans events. Vendors sell it at second line parades. It's also a favorite at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. You'll see it alongside other delicious Creole and Cajun foods.
A famous Yaka mein seller is Ms. Linda Green. She has been serving this dish since 2006. You can find her at places like the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and JazzFest. Even though it's loved by locals, Yaka mein is not very well known outside of New Orleans.
Different Kinds of Yaka Mein
Yaka mein is also found in other cities. These include Montreal, Canada, and places like Norfolk, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. Some versions use thick wheat noodles, like udon. They might come in a ketchup-based sauce or brown gravy. These often have thick onion slices, a hard-boiled egg, and fried noodles. Some restaurants even add roast pork, chicken, seafood, or pigs' feet.
The Name Yaka Mein
The name "Yaka mein" sounds a lot like a phrase in Cantonese. In Cantonese, "jat1 go3 min6" means "one order of noodles." This is something restaurant staff might say to the kitchen. However, no one is completely sure if this is how the name started.
How It's Spelled
The dish has many different spellings. They all sound similar to "Yaka mein." Here are some common ways it's spelled:
- Yakamein
- Yaca mein
- Ya ka mein
- Yatka mein
- Yock a mein
- Yetka mein
- Yet ca mein
- Yet gaw mein
- Yat gaw mein
- Jakemein
- Yaka may
- Yakameat
- Yakama
- Yakamee
Where Yaka Mein Came From
The exact beginnings of Yaka mein are a bit of a mystery. Some people, like the famous New Orleans chef Leah Chase, believed it started in New Orleans's old Chinatown, New Orleans. This Chinatown was created by Chinese immigrants. They came from California in the mid-1800s. They helped build railroads and worked on sugar farms in the South. During this time, Chinese noodle soup recipes changed to fit local tastes.
Early Mentions
Even if its exact start is unclear, Yaka mein was known in North America by the 1920s. A magazine article from 1927 described "yet-ca mein." It said it was noodles boiled in a rich broth. It was served in bowls with sliced hard-boiled egg and cooked meats. The article also said that other noodle dishes might also be called "yet-ca mein."
In a movie from 1935 called "Whipsaw," a character in New Orleans orders Yaka mein from a Chinese restaurant. This shows that the dish was known in New Orleans a long time ago. This supports the idea that it might have started there.
Noodle Type
Yaka mein can also refer to a type of dried wheat Chinese noodles itself. In Canada, a version called "Yet Ca Mein" was introduced in the 1950s. It was brought by Wing's Food Products from Toronto and Wing Noodle Company from Montreal.
