Silver needle noodles facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Rat noodle |
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| Type | Chinese noodles |
| Place of origin | China, Meizhou |
| Main ingredients | Rice flour |
| Silver needle noodles | |||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 銀針粉 | ||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 银针粉 | ||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | silver needle noodle | ||||||||||||||
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| Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 老鼠粉 | ||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | rat noodle | ||||||||||||||
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| Second alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 米篩目 | ||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 米筛目 | ||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | rice sieve eyes | ||||||||||||||
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Silver needle noodles are a special type of Chinese noodles. They are also known by many other fun names like rat noodles or bee tai bak. These noodles are short and thick, usually about 5 centimeters long. They are white and a little see-through. You can find these noodles in many Chinese markets. They are popular in places with many Chinese communities. This includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.
Contents
What Are Silver Needle Noodles Called?
These unique noodles have many different names. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, they are often called silver needle noodles. But in Malaysia and Singapore, people usually call them rat noodles or "mouse tail noodles." Sometimes, they are also known as "pin noodles."
The names come from how the noodles look or how they are made. Some think they look like a rat's tail because they are long and pointy. Others say they look like silver needles because they are white and clear. Another idea is that they get their name from being pushed through a sieve with holes.
- Yin Zhen Fen, Ngan Jam Fan (銀針粉/银针粉)
- Lao Shu Fen, Lou Syu Fan, Lao Cu Pan, Loh See Fun (老鼠粉)
- Bei Tai Mak (鼻涕嘜) (Cantonese)
- Bí-thai-ba̍k (米苔目/米台目/米篩目/米筛目) (Min Nan)
- Bhi2 tai1 mag8 / bhi2 shai mag8 米篩目/米筛目 (Teochew)
- Mi Shai Mu (米篩目/米筛目) (Hakka)
- Kiam I/Giam Ee (Thai)
- Short Rice Noodle
- Rice drop noodle
How Silver Needle Noodles Are Made
These noodles are made from rice flour mixed with water. The rice flour can come from sticky or non-sticky rice. Sometimes, a little cornstarch is added. This helps stop the noodles from breaking when they are cooked.
To make them, the rice and water mix is pushed through a sieve. This is done right into boiling water. It's a bit like how Spätzle noodles are made. The noodles are usually made in advance. Then, they are cooked again just before serving. You can usually only buy these noodles fresh. They are made by special noodle makers or in factories. It's rare for people to make them at home because it takes a lot of effort for a small amount.
Cooking Silver Needle Noodles
Silver needle noodles are very versatile! You can cook them in many ways. They can be stir-fried with other ingredients. You can also quickly boil them and add different sauces for flavor. They are often cooked in a soup or served dry in a special clay pot.
Like most Chinese noodles, you can eat them for any meal. They can be a main dish or served with rice. Many Chinese restaurants and food stalls in Southeast Asia serve these noodles. A very popular dish is "Clay-Pot Lao Shu Fen." The clay pot helps keep the food warm and delicious.
See also
In Spanish: Fideos aguja de plata para niños
