Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
In China, noodles are a common food that people eat every day. The ingredients used for them depend on the crops grown in each area. Noodles can be made of wheat, rice or even beans and potatoes. They can also be made into many different shapes.
For example, biang biang mian are a thick, hand-pulled noodle from the Shaanxi province. They are made from wheat flour and water. Their name “biang biang” comes from the sound made when cooks stretch the dough into strands by slapping it against a surface.
Use our activities to explore the chewy, soft and tasty world of noodles.
Noodle-tasting adventure
Instructions
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Go online and look for some restaurants near you with different types of Chinese noodles. For example, you could look for places that serve food from Yunnan, Sichuan or Shanghai. Cantonese food also has many types of noodles.
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Copy the chart below into a notebook, or take this newspaper with you. At each restaurant, fill in the chart to take notes on the noodles you’re trying. If you’re not sure what the noodle is made of, ask a server or search for it online.
Invent your own noodle
Besides the noodles in China, other countries around the world also have their own versions. For instance, Japan is known for its ramen, and Italy is famous for its pasta. If you could design your own noodle, what would it be?
Instructions
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Draw your dream noodle. Think about what shape and texture you enjoy eating. Consider how this shape would mix with sauces or other foods.
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What ingredients would you use for the noodle? Choose one of the standard ingredients or think of something new.
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Give your noodle an interesting name. What dish would you make with it?
