Oil noodles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Oil noodles

Shanghai oil noodle
Alternative names	Cooked noodles
Type	Chinese noodles
Place of origin	China
Main ingredients	Wheat flour, eggs, egg whites, salt, corn oil, sodium benzoate

Oil noodles are a special kind of Chinese noodle. They are also known as cooked noodles. These noodles are popular in many parts of Asia. You might find them in Cantonese cuisine, which comes from the Guangdong province in China.

How Oil Noodles Are Made

Oil noodles are made from a mix of simple ingredients. They use wheat flour, eggs, and egg whites. A little salt is added for flavor. Corn oil helps give them their smooth texture. Sometimes, a tiny bit of sodium benzoate is used to keep them fresh.

These noodles have different names depending on where you are:

• In Hong Kong, the United States, and Canada, if the noodles are round, they are called yow mein. If they are square, they are called mein.
• In Singapore, people call them mee. This name comes from the Hokkien language.
• In Burma (Myanmar), they are called ဆီချက် (pronounced see-chet), which means "oil noodles." Burmese Chinese communities often serve them in cities like Yangon.
• In Taiwan and other Mandarin-speaking parts of China, they are known as mian.

Oil noodles are often served with seafood, poultry, or pork in Southeast Asia. In Hong Kong and China, you can often find them at street food stalls. They are a common ingredient in "cart noodles" (chei zai main).

Cooking Oil Noodles

Oil noodles are quick and easy to cook! They usually take about 15 minutes.

• First, you boil the noodles and some fresh vegetables in a pot.
• Next, you put them into a bowl with some seasonings.
• Finally, you pour a few tablespoons of hot oil over everything. Then, you just mix it all together and enjoy!

The Story of Oil Noodles

There are two interesting stories about how oil noodles began.

The Emperor's Noodles

One story says that oil noodles first appeared in markets during the late Ming Dynasty. This was a long time ago in China. Later, during the Qing Dynasty, these noodles became so special that they were chosen as food for the emperor! They were even called "Longxu tribute noodles." "Longxu" means "the beard of the dragon." The dragon was a symbol of the Chinese emperor. This name showed how important and respected these noodles were.

Grandpa's Survival Noodles

Another story tells of a farmer's family who had to leave their home because of war. Only a grandfather and his grandson were left. There was a terrible drought and many wars, so crops could not grow. To survive the famine, the grandfather hunted in the mountains every day.

One cold winter, he caught a fat wild goat. They ate some of the mutton, but there was too much left over. To keep the meat from spoiling, the grandfather cut it into pieces. He then cooked it in oil to preserve it. When it was time to eat, he would fry the oiled mutton with dried vegetables. He mixed this with different kinds of noodles, like potato, corn, and wheat noodles.

These special noodles helped them survive the famine. The little grandson loved them! When he grew up, he started a business. He never forgot his grandfather's delicious noodles with oil and meat. To honor his grandfather, he opened a restaurant called "Fried Pork Noodles." People loved the noodles, and they became very famous. This is how "Gao You Po Noodles" became well-known and are still enjoyed today.

Different Ways to Enjoy Oil Noodles

Most oil noodles need to be boiled or cooked before you eat them. However, some types can be bought already cooked, which is super convenient!

You can eat oil noodles hot or cold. You can also add different things to them. Try adding your favorite sauce, some meat, a tasty broth, or more fresh vegetables. This makes them a very flexible and delicious meal!

Images for kids

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  Shanghai oil noodle

See also

In Spanish: Fideos de aceite para niños