Chinese Food World .info

Noodles are a staple food in Chinese cuisine, with a long history and wide popularity. Its first appearance can be traced back to the East Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD), and it became very popular during Song Dynasty (960 -1279 AD). Its cooking methods are numerous, though relatively simple. People can, according to their likes and tastes, add different ingredients and materials to make a great variety of noodles.

Chinese noodles vary in width. They can be thin as needles, or thick as chopsticks. However, when it comes to length, they are usually served long and uncut. This is because long noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese tradition. Thus, during birthday celebrations, people will serve “longevity noodles” in good hope for longevity.

Chinese noodles are generally made from wheat flour, rice flour, or types of starches, such as Mung Bean starch. Wheat flour noodles are commonly produced and consumed in North China, while rice flour noodles are more typical in South China.

Rice flour and starch-based noodles are made only with rice flour or starch and water. Wheat flour noodles maybe added in low quantities with egg, lye or food coloring in order to have a yellow color, and change the texture, tenderness and taste of the noodles. No matter their type, noodles cook very quickly. Usually it requires no more than 5 minutes to become al dente, while thinner noodles only take less than one minute to finish cooking.

Because of different manners of preparation and using of materials and ingredients, there are over a thousand types of noodles all over China with local characteristics. Among them, the most famous ones are soy bean paste noodles (or Zhajiang Mian) in Beijing, hand-pulled noodles (or Lamian) in Shaanxi Province, sliced noodles (or Daoxiao Mian) in Shanxi Province, dandan noodles (or dandan mian) in Sichuan Province, to name just a few.

Noodles are served and eaten hot or cold, boiled, steamed, stir-fried, deep-fried, or served in soup. Whichever way, you’ll first need to, by using chopsticks, stir the noodle till all the materials are evenly mingled before enjoying it. Noodles are an excellent food for the nutritionally-inclined, providing harmonious dietary balance. They are low in calories, and high in protein and carbohydrate.

Famous Chinese Noodles

Lanzhou Hand pulled Noodles with Beef 兰州牛肉拉面

This kind of hand-pulled noodle is also known as the “Lanzhou Beef Noodles”, one of the most common dishes in the local area. Visitors can see it at every corner of the city and it has become a part of the local people’s life. The noodle is handmade, and it takes a cook only one or two minutes to stretch the flour cake into many needle-like noodles. Today small restaurants serving Lanzhou Beef Noodles can be found at almost every Chinese cities. However, most of them are hidden at small alleys or back streets.

Among the many beef restaurants in Lanzhou, the Jinding Beef Noodle Restaurant in Pingliang Road, and the Mazhilu Beef Noodle Restaurant in Wudu Road and the Minority Restaurant in Zhangye Road are the most famous ones.

Guilin Rice Noodles 桂林米粉

Taking pride of place as the most popular local snack (or breakfast, lunch or dinner) in Guilin, mifen is pliable but strong, fragrant and mellow, and cheap (2.5 yuan for a bowl). Guilin rice noodles can probably be found within 100m of any town or city area.

Rice noodles, gravy, fried peanuts or soybeans, chopped scallions and thin slices of different kinds of meat are added for various versions of this renowned and tasty dish. Well-chopped condiments include: spring onions, chilli, pickled beans and pickled white raddish in chilli sauce. Soup may be ladled on or dispensed from an urn. Although there are many restaurants around the country who claim to serve authentic Guilin Rice Noodles. However, There are rarely any restaurants serving authentic Guilin Rice Noodles outside Guilin City.

Guangzhou Shahefen 广州沙河粉

Shahefen is a kind of noodles made of rice. It is broad, white in color. Their texture is elastic and a bit chewy. They do not freeze or dry well and are thus generally (where available) purchased fresh, in strips or sheets that may be cut to the desired width. Shhefen is popular in southern China’s Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Province.