Ever dreamed of creating restaurant-quality Chinese noodles with your own hands? Prepare to be amazed by this easier version of hand-pulled noodles that will transform your cooking skills and impress everyone at the dinner table! These magical noodles are not just a dish, but a culinary performance that brings the authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine right to your home kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you'll master the art of creating perfectly stretched, silky-smooth noodles that will make you feel like a professional chef.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add water and vegetable oil to the flour mixture. Mix initially with a wooden spoon or chopsticks until a shaggy dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and slightly springy to the touch. If the dough feels too dry, add water a teaspoon at a time; if too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 20-25 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to stretch.
- After resting, divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Keep the unused portions covered to prevent drying.
- Lightly oil your work surface. Take one portion of dough and roll it into a long cylinder about 1 inch thick.
- To pull the noodles, hold the dough cylinder at both ends and gently stretch and swing it, allowing gravity to help elongate the noodle. Tap the noodle on the work surface between stretches to help it thin out.
- Once the noodle is stretched thin, fold it in half and pull again. Repeat this process 2-3 times until you achieve the desired noodle thickness.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully drop the pulled noodles into the boiling water.
- Cook the noodles for 2-3 minutes or until they float to the surface and look slightly translucent.
- While noodles are cooking, prepare a quick sauce by mixing minced garlic and soy sauce in a small bowl.
- Drain the noodles and transfer to serving bowls. Drizzle with the garlic-soy sauce and garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the fresh, hand-pulled texture of the noodles.
Tips
- Dough Consistency is Key: The secret to great hand-pulled noodles lies in the dough. Knead thoroughly to develop gluten, which gives the noodles their signature elasticity and chewiness.
- Resting Matters: Don't rush the 20-25 minute resting period. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough much easier to stretch and pull.
- Keep It Moist: Cover the dough and unused portions with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent drying out during preparation.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't restaurant-perfect. Noodle pulling is an art that improves with practice.
- Work Surface Technique: Lightly oiled surfaces help prevent sticking and make stretching easier.
- Timing is Crucial: Watch your noodles carefully while boiling. They're done when they float and look slightly translucent - usually just 2-3 minutes.
- Serve Immediately: Hand-pulled noodles are best enjoyed hot and fresh, so time your cooking to serve right away for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
