Grilled cold noodles facts for kids
Grilled cold noodles (called kǎolěngmiàn in Chinese) is a super popular street food from Heilongjiang province in China. You'll often find it sold at busy night markets or small stands by the road, not usually in fancy restaurants.
This yummy snack is made with special noodles that look a bit like thin paper. Cooks add eggs, onions, and other tasty ingredients. The main sauces are usually a sweet bean sauce or a spicy gochujang.
There are three main ways to cook grilled cold noodles: grilling, cooking on a flat griddle (called teppanyaki), or frying them.
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The Story of Grilled Cold Noodles
Have you ever wondered where grilled cold noodles came from? There are two main ideas about its birthplace. Some people think this tasty dish started in a city called Mishan. Others believe it began in Mudanjiang.
One popular story tells us about a man named Gai Guofeng. He sold snacks near a school in Mishan City. One day, he grilled some cold noodles for himself. Students from the school tried it and loved how delicious it was! Soon, the dish became super popular all over Mishan.
At first, the noodles were a bit tough to chew. But over time, people started using softer noodles. This made grilled cold noodles even more popular across China. Even today, people still love the chewy texture of these noodles. This chewiness comes from something called gluten, which is a protein found in the noodles.
How Grilled Cold Noodles Are Made
There are a few different ways to prepare grilled cold noodles, each giving it a slightly different taste and texture.
Grilled Style
In this method, the noodles and sauce are placed inside a special grilling basket. They are then cooked over heat until they are perfectly done.
Fried Style
This way of cooking is very popular in Mishan, where the dish might have started. The noodles are fried until they are crispy and then brushed with the yummy sauce.
Teppanyaki Style
This is the most common way to cook grilled cold noodles. Cooks use a flat, hot griddle, which is what "teppanyaki" means. They cook the cold noodles right on the griddle, often adding onions, eggs, and even sausages to make it extra special.
