If you’re craving a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, look no further than these popular Chinese noodle dishes that you can easily recreate in the comfort of your own kitchen. From mouthwatering Dan Dan noodles to the comforting warmth of Cantonese wonton noodle soup, these dishes are not only delicious but also a great way to experiment with different flavors and textures. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of China. Get your chopsticks ready, because these noodle dishes are about to become your new favorites.
1. Lo Mein
Ingredients
- Lo mein noodles
- Choice of protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu)
- Assorted vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Green onions
Instructions
- Cook the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a wok or large skillet, heat some oil and sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Add your choice of protein and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the protein from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
- Return the cooked protein to the skillet and add the cooked lo mein noodles.
- Drizzle soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil over the noodles and toss to combine.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
Variations
- For a vegetarian option, omit the protein and add extra vegetables such as snow peas or bok choy.
- Add some heat by stirring in a teaspoon of chili paste or Sriracha sauce.
- Experiment with different sauces like hoisin sauce or black bean sauce to add a unique flavor to your lo mein.
2. Chow Mein
Ingredients
- Chow mein noodles
- Choice of protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu)
- Assorted vegetables (cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, onions)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Sesame oil
Instructions
- Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a wok or large skillet, heat some oil and sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Add your choice of protein and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the protein from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
- Return the cooked protein to the skillet and add the cooked chow mein noodles.
- Drizzle soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil over the noodles and toss to combine.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve hot and enjoy the crispy texture of the chow mein noodles.
Variations
- Enhance the flavor by adding a sprinkle of five-spice powder or a dash of rice vinegar.
- For a spicier option, add sliced chili peppers or a tablespoon of Szechuan sauce.
- Get creative with the vegetables by adding baby corn, water chestnuts, or snap peas to the stir-fry.
3. Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
- Egg noodles
- Ground pork or chicken
- Sesame paste or peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Chili oil
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat some oil and cook the ground pork or chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili oil. Cook for a minute until fragrant.
- Add the sesame paste or peanut butter, soy sauce, and a dash of water to create the sauce. Stir until well combined.
- Return the cooked protein to the skillet and add the cooked egg noodles. Toss to coat the noodles in the sauce.
- Serve the dan dan noodles hot, garnished with chopped green onions and cilantro, if desired.
Variations
- Make it vegetarian by substituting the ground meat with mushrooms or tofu.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili oil used.
- Top the noodles with roasted peanuts or sesame seeds for an added crunch.
4. Beef Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- Beef brisket or flank steak
- Beef broth
- Rice noodles
- Star anise
- Cinnamon stick
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Green onions
- Bok choy
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the beef broth, star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add the beef brisket or flank steak to the pot and let it simmer for about 1-2 hours until tender.
- Remove the beef from the pot and let it cool slightly. Then, thinly slice the beef.
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- Return the sliced beef to the pot and add soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Blanch the bok choy in boiling water for a minute or until tender, then remove and set aside.
- To serve, divide the cooked rice noodles among bowls and ladle the beef soup over the noodles. Add some blanched bok choy and garnish with sliced green onions.
- Enjoy the comforting and flavorful beef noodle soup while it’s hot.
Variations
- Add a spoonful of chili paste or chili oil to give the soup some heat.
- For a heartier version, add sliced mushrooms or bean sprouts to the soup.
- Experiment with different cuts of beef, such as short ribs or oxtail, for a richer flavor.
5. Hot and Sour Soup with Noodles
Ingredients
- Thin wheat noodles
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Firm tofu
- Wood ear mushrooms
- Bamboo shoots
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- White pepper
- Cornstarch
- Egg
- Green onions
- Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the thin wheat noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil.
- Add sliced firm tofu, soaked wood ear mushrooms, and sliced bamboo shoots to the broth. Let it simmer for a few minutes until heated through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, white pepper, and cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the boiling broth and stir until thickened.
- In a separate bowl, beat an egg and slowly pour it into the soup while continuously stirring. This will create the characteristic “ribbons” in hot and sour soup.
- Divide the cooked noodles among bowls and ladle the hot and sour soup over the noodles.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and cilantro, if desired, before serving.
Variations
- For a meaty version, add cooked shredded chicken or pork to the soup.
- Adjust the sourness level by adding more or less rice vinegar.
- Spice it up with a sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.
6. Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- Chinese egg noodles
- Sesame paste or tahini
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sugar
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Cucumber (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chinese egg noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together sesame paste or tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Toss the cooked egg noodles with the sauce until evenly coated.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and, if desired, add some thinly sliced cucumber for extra crunch and freshness.
- Serve the sesame noodles at room temperature or chilled, as a delightful side dish or a light meal.
Variations
- Make it more substantial by adding shredded chicken, cooked shrimp, or cubed tofu to the noodles.
- Stir in some chili oil or Sriracha sauce for a spicy kick.
- Experiment with different vegetables like shredded carrots, bell peppers, or snow peas for added texture and flavor.
7. Wonton Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- Wonton wrappers
- Ground pork or shrimp
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Chicken broth
- Wonton noodles
- Baby bok choy
- Green onions
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ground pork or shrimp with minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Mix well.
- Place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of a wonton wrapper. Wet the edges of the wrapper with water and fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle. Press the edges to seal. Repeat until all the filling is used.
- In a pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil.
- Add the wontons to the boiling broth and let them cook for a few minutes until they float to the surface.
- In a separate pot, cook the wonton noodles according to the package instructions.
- Blanch baby bok choy in boiling water until tender-crisp, then remove and set aside.
- Divide the cooked wonton noodles among bowls and ladle the hot broth and wontons over the noodles.
- Add some blanched baby bok choy and garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh taste.
Variations
- Customize the filling by adding chopped water chestnuts, mushrooms, or green onions to the pork or shrimp mixture.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground meat with mashed tofu or a variety of minced vegetables.
- Spice it up with a splash of Sriracha sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes.
8. Zhajiangmian (Fried Sauce Noodles)
Ingredients
- Wheat noodles
- Ground pork
- Bean paste or black bean sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Soy sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Sesame oil
- Cucumber
- Bean sprouts
- Green onions
Instructions
- Cook the wheat noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat some oil and cook the ground pork until browned and cooked through.
- Add minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in bean paste or black bean sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a splash of sesame oil.
- Mix the sauce and the cooked ground pork together until well combined.
- Serve the fried sauce over the cooked wheat noodles and garnish with sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, and chopped green onions.
Variations
- Experiment with different protein options such as ground beef, chicken, or shrimp.
- Add a spoonful of chili paste or Sriracha if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Customize the toppings with shredded carrots, radishes, or pickled vegetables for extra crunch and flavor.
9. Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles
Ingredients
- Shanghai-style noodles or Udon noodles
- Shrimp
- Pork or chicken
- Assorted vegetables (carrots, snow peas, bell peppers)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Bean sprouts
- Green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Shanghai-style or Udon noodles according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a wok or large skillet, heat some oil and stir-fry the shrimp until pink and cooked through. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- In the same wok, cook the pork or chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- Add minced garlic and ginger to the wok and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in the assorted vegetables and bean sprouts, and cook until tender-crisp.
- Return the cooked shrimp and pork or chicken to the wok, and add the cooked noodles.
- Drizzle soy sauce and oyster sauce over the noodles and toss to coat everything evenly.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions.
Variations
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the shrimp and meat, and adding tofu or more vegetables.
- For a spicy kick, add sliced chili peppers or chili flakes.
- Experiment with different vegetables to suit your taste and preference.
10. Ants Climbing a Tree
Ingredients
- Bean thread noodles (cellophane noodles)
- Ground pork
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Soy sauce
- Chili bean sauce
- Chicken broth
- Green onions
Instructions
- Soak the bean thread noodles in cold water until softened, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the ground pork until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce and chili bean sauce, and mix well.
- Add the cooked ground pork back to the skillet, along with the soaked bean thread noodles.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Cook for a few minutes until the noodles have absorbed the flavors and the broth has reduced slightly.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.
Variations
- Add some heat by increasing the amount of chili bean sauce or adding chopped chili peppers.
- Experiment with different types of ground meat such as beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Enhance the dish with additional vegetables like sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or snow peas.
In conclusion, Chinese noodle dishes offer a wide variety of flavors, textures, and ingredients to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re in the mood for a stir-fried noodle dish like Lo Mein or Chow Mein, a comforting bowl of soup noodles like Beef Noodle Soup or Hot and Sour Soup, or even a sesame-based dish like Sesame Noodles, the options are endless. Don’t be afraid to get creative and adapt these recipes to your personal preferences by exploring different sauces, protein choices, and vegetable additions. So, put on your apron, grab your chopsticks, and embark on a culinary adventure to experience the most popular Chinese noodle dishes in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy!
