Chinese Noodles

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 may be supplemented 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 methods of preparation and use of materials and ingredients, there are over a thousand types of noodles from 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, using chopsticks, stir the noodles 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 Noodles

Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles with Beef 兰州牛肉拉面

This kind of hand-pulled noodle is also known as "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 dough into many needle-thin noodles. Today small restaurants serving Lanzhou Beef Noodles can be found in almost every Chinese city. However, most of them are hidden in small alleys or back streets.

Among the many beef noodle restaurants in Lanzhou, the Jinding Beef Noodle Restaurant in Pingliang Road, 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 anywhere in a Guilin 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, there are hardly any restaurants serving authentic Guilin Rice Noodles outside Guilin Prefecture.

Guangzhou Shahefen 广州沙河粉

Shahefen is a kind of noodle made of rice. It is broad and 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. Shahefen is popular in southern China's Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces.