Stir-Fried Black Pepper Spaghetti

Black pepper spaghetti, usually stir-fried with beef, duck or other proteins, is a classic dish in Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs, casual, affordable eateries serving dishes that blend Cantonese and Western cooking. This meat-free version is pantry friendly—you probably already have most, if not all, of the ingredients on hand. The idea to add butter comes from Stephanie Li and Chris Thomas, creators of the popular YouTube channel Chinese Cooking Demystified. It’s a transformative ingredient that rounds out the flavors and tempers the fieriness of the pepper while also adding a subtle silkiness. We like a splash of black vinegar (or regular rice vinegar) added at the table to brighten the noodles with a tart, malty finish.