Noodles. Who doesn't love them? I love rice and it has its time and place, but I will trade rice for noodles anytime!
But where do noodles come from? What are the origins of these wonderful chewy, soft, springy strands of deliciousness?
But where do noodles come from? What are the origins of these wonderful chewy, soft, springy strands of deliciousness?
China
The earliest archeological evidence of noodles dates back to China. Archaeologists have found a bowl of noodles made from millet flour at a dated archaeological site in Lajia, China. This discovery suggests that noodles may have originated in China, and that they have been a staple food in the Chinese diet for over 4,000 years.
Noodles quickly spread from China to other parts of Asia, and eventually to Europe and the Americas.
So China is undeniably the birthplace of Asian noodles, and over time it has evolved noodle-making into an incredible culinary art with variations such as
The earliest archeological evidence of noodles dates back to China. Archaeologists have found a bowl of noodles made from millet flour at a dated archaeological site in Lajia, China. This discovery suggests that noodles may have originated in China, and that they have been a staple food in the Chinese diet for over 4,000 years.
Noodles quickly spread from China to other parts of Asia, and eventually to Europe and the Americas.
So China is undeniably the birthplace of Asian noodles, and over time it has evolved noodle-making into an incredible culinary art with variations such as
- Mi Xian ( 米线 ) (Yunnan Rice Noodles)
- Mi Fun ( 米粉) (Rice Vermicelli)
- Hor Fun (河粉 ) (Flat Rice Noodles)
- Yin Zhen Fen ( 银针粉) (Silver Needle Noodles)
- La Mian (拉面) (Hand-Pulled Noodles)
- Fun Si ( 粉丝) (Glass Noodles)
- Mi Sua (面線) (Wheat Vermicelli)
- Wonton Mian (雲吞面) (Wonton Noodles)
Other Asian Countries
Chinese noodles landed on Japanese shores around the 9th Century AD; Korea, around the 14th Century; and later to ancient Southeast Asia via sea trade. All of these cultures have adapted and developed their own unique noodles over the ages with variations such as Ramen (a simple non-pulled variation of the Chinese Lamian), Somen, Soba, Udon.
Chinese noodles landed on Japanese shores around the 9th Century AD; Korea, around the 14th Century; and later to ancient Southeast Asia via sea trade. All of these cultures have adapted and developed their own unique noodles over the ages with variations such as Ramen (a simple non-pulled variation of the Chinese Lamian), Somen, Soba, Udon.
Middle East / Central Asia / Europe
Most historians agree that pasta is likely an adaptation. Born from the trade and cultural exchanges between ancient Europe, Middle Eastern and Central Asian peoples – who were the first to cultivate Durum wheat, the quintessential pasta ingredient.
Most historians agree that pasta is likely an adaptation. Born from the trade and cultural exchanges between ancient Europe, Middle Eastern and Central Asian peoples – who were the first to cultivate Durum wheat, the quintessential pasta ingredient.
Best Chinese Noodles in Central London:
Xian Impressions
Xian Impressions are famous for their hand cut noodles. Big, thickly sliced hand made cut noodles, with a heavy broth topped with vegetables and sliced meat. We thoroughly recommend the 岐山哨子面 hand-pulled noodles soup with Qishan sauce and pork mince
and the 牛肉油泼面 Xi'an biangbiang noodles in special chilli sauce with chunky beef
117 Benwell Road, London, N7 7BW (http://xianimpression.co.uk)
Yauatcha
Yauatcha is a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves modern Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its dim sum, but it also has a wide selection of noodle dishes including the perfect Prawn and Bean curd Cheung Fun.
15-17 Broadwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 0DL (https://yauatcha.com/soho)
Tian Fu Noodle Bar
Tian Fu Noodle Bar is a Chinese restaurant that serves Sichuan cuisine. The restaurant is known for its spicy noodle dishes. The most popular noodle dish at Tian Fu Noodle Bar is the Chongqing noodles. The noodles are made with a spicy Sichuan chili sauce, and they are topped with pork, beef, or vegetables.
37-39 Bulwer St, London W12 8AR (www.tianfulondon.com)
Xian Impressions
Xian Impressions are famous for their hand cut noodles. Big, thickly sliced hand made cut noodles, with a heavy broth topped with vegetables and sliced meat. We thoroughly recommend the 岐山哨子面 hand-pulled noodles soup with Qishan sauce and pork mince
and the 牛肉油泼面 Xi'an biangbiang noodles in special chilli sauce with chunky beef
117 Benwell Road, London, N7 7BW (http://xianimpression.co.uk)
Yauatcha
Yauatcha is a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves modern Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its dim sum, but it also has a wide selection of noodle dishes including the perfect Prawn and Bean curd Cheung Fun.
15-17 Broadwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 0DL (https://yauatcha.com/soho)
Tian Fu Noodle Bar
Tian Fu Noodle Bar is a Chinese restaurant that serves Sichuan cuisine. The restaurant is known for its spicy noodle dishes. The most popular noodle dish at Tian Fu Noodle Bar is the Chongqing noodles. The noodles are made with a spicy Sichuan chili sauce, and they are topped with pork, beef, or vegetables.
37-39 Bulwer St, London W12 8AR (www.tianfulondon.com)
Wong Kei
Wong Kei is a London Chinatown restaurant that is known for its cheap and cheerful food and brusque staff. The restaurant is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. Don't be surprised if staff ask you to "dap dtoi" - share a table with a complete stranger. No real difference to the far inferior Wagamama.
One of the our favourite dishes at Wong Kei is the Wonton noodles. The Wonton noodles are made with a light and flavourful broth, and they are topped with wontons and a sprinkling of spring onions. So simple, so perfect!
The other dish we have eaten spades of is the Beef Brisket Soup noodles. Melt-in-mouth fatty beef brisket, with noodles, with soup. An ultimate comfort food!
Did I mention its also cheap?
41-43 Wardour St, London, W1D 6PX (no website)
Wong Kei is a London Chinatown restaurant that is known for its cheap and cheerful food and brusque staff. The restaurant is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. Don't be surprised if staff ask you to "dap dtoi" - share a table with a complete stranger. No real difference to the far inferior Wagamama.
One of the our favourite dishes at Wong Kei is the Wonton noodles. The Wonton noodles are made with a light and flavourful broth, and they are topped with wontons and a sprinkling of spring onions. So simple, so perfect!
The other dish we have eaten spades of is the Beef Brisket Soup noodles. Melt-in-mouth fatty beef brisket, with noodles, with soup. An ultimate comfort food!
Did I mention its also cheap?
41-43 Wardour St, London, W1D 6PX (no website)
Jiang Hu Noodle Bar
Jiang Hu Noodle Bar is a Chinese restaurant that serves Hunan cuisine. The restaurant is known for its spicy noodle dishes. The most popular noodle dish at Jiang Hu Noodle Bar is the spicy beef noodles. The noodles are made with a spicy Hunan chili sauce, and they are topped with beef.
380 Caledonian Road, London, N1 1DY. (no website)
Jiang Hu Noodle Bar is a Chinese restaurant that serves Hunan cuisine. The restaurant is known for its spicy noodle dishes. The most popular noodle dish at Jiang Hu Noodle Bar is the spicy beef noodles. The noodles are made with a spicy Hunan chili sauce, and they are topped with beef.
380 Caledonian Road, London, N1 1DY. (no website)
Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles
Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles is a Chinese restaurant that serves Shaanxi cuisine. The restaurant is known for its hand-pulled noodles. The most popular noodle dish at Xi'an Famous Foods is the hand-pulled noodles. The noodles are made with a traditional Chinese recipe, and they are served in a variety of different broths.
62 Wentworth St, London, E1 7TF (https://xianbiangbiangnoodles.com)
Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles is a Chinese restaurant that serves Shaanxi cuisine. The restaurant is known for its hand-pulled noodles. The most popular noodle dish at Xi'an Famous Foods is the hand-pulled noodles. The noodles are made with a traditional Chinese recipe, and they are served in a variety of different broths.
62 Wentworth St, London, E1 7TF (https://xianbiangbiangnoodles.com)
These are just a few of the many great Chinese noodle restaurants in London. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect noodle dish to satisfy your cravings.
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