Dragon Noodles

1/4 cup sesame oil
1 tablespoon Chinese chili sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons juice from pickled ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons Japanese rice vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 pound very thin fresh Chinese egg noodles
Grated rind of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds, toasted in
    a dry, heavy skillet until fragrant
3/4 cup thinly sliced scallions

Garnish
Grated red radish
Julienne of scallions (both green and white)
Toasted black sesame seeds

In a bowl combine the oil, chili sauce, soy sauce, pickled ginger juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Whisk to blend and set the bowl aside.

In a colander fluff the noodles to separate and untangle the strands. Bring a large saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Add the noodles and swish them gently with chopsticks. Let them cook for 2 minutes or until the noodles are tender but still have some bite. Drain them, plunge them briefly into ice water, then drain again. Shake the colander to remove excess moisture and transfer the noodles to a bowl.

Whisk the dressing again to combine it. Toss the noodles with just enough of the dressing to moisten them well, using your fingers to coat and separate the strands. Let the noodles sit for 10 minutes.

Taste the noodles. If they seem dry, add a bit more dressing and toss again. Add the lemon rind, black sesame seeds and scallion rings and toss well.

Taste the noodles again. They should be bright and sparkly. Cover them tightly and refrigerate up to one day.

To serve: Bring the noodles to room temperature. Mound the noodles in a bowl or twirl them in individual bowls. Garnish each dish with grated red radish, scallion and black sesame seeds.

Serves 2 or 3 as a main course; 4 to 6 as part of a multi-course meal.