Yakisoba is the Japanese variety of fried noodles. Originating from the Chinese chow main, these noodles are usually mixed with a variety of meat and vegetables. Japanese favorites are usually pork, cabbage, onions, and carrots. The most common noodle varieties used in the dish are ramen noodles (made with wheat flour) or soba noodles (made with buckwheat).

Although soba noodles did give the name to the dish, the ramen variety is still the most common type used in yakisoba. When the meat and vegetables are stir-fried, and the noodles are fully cooked, a special yakisoba sauce, similar to the thick Worcestershire sauce, is added to complete the dish.

Yakisoba noodles are eaten everywhere in Japan, they can be found in restaurants or at traditional food stands, but they are also commonly prepared at home. There are numerous varieties of yakisoba noodles in Japan, and every restaurant, seller, or family has their signature yakisoba recipe.

Typically, the noodles are served on a plate alongside different condiments such as fish flakes, mayonnaise, pickled ginger, and ground seaweed. Occasionally, they come in sandwich form, when they are served in a special bun and garnished with pickled ginger and special Japanese mayonnaise.