Cooking dry noodles Northern Chinese style
Northern Chinese cuisine is known for its flavorful and hearty dishes, and dry noodles are a staple. Here's a guide to preparing them like a Northerner: 
1. Choosing your noodles
Northern Chinese cuisine predominantly uses wheat flour noodles. 
Fresh noodles are ideal but less readily available.
Dried noodles can be a good substitute, but consider variations between brands.
 
2. Cooking the noodles
Bring water to a rolling boil: Ensure the water is boiling rapidly before adding the noodles to prevent them from becoming starchy. Add salt to the boiling water (1-2 teaspoons per quart) for optimal flavor.
Add noodles gradually: Stir the noodles immediately to prevent sticking.
Don't overcook: Northern Chinese cuisine favors noodles with a slightly chewy, firm texture (al dente).
Fresh noodles cook quickly, sometimes in under a minute.
Dried noodles require slightly more cooking time, usually 3-5 minutes, but refer to package instructions for best results.
Rinse and drain: Once cooked, drain the noodles well and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking and further cooking.
Toss with oil: Adding a small amount of sesame or cooking oil after rinsing helps prevent the noodles from sticking together, particularly useful for stir-frying or when using fresh noodles.  
3. Serving your noodles
Dry noodles are incredibly versatile in Northern Chinese cuisine:
Stir-frying: Many Northern Chinese dry noodle dishes are stir-fried with vegetables and meats, like Gansu Vegetarian Hand-Pulled Noodles (Chao Latiaozi, 炒拉).
With sauces and toppings: Wuhan Hot Dry Noodles (Re Gan Mian) is a popular example where noodles are tossed with a rich sesame sauce, often featuring a spiced stock (lou mei), chili oil, pickled vegetables like mustard stems and long beans, garlic, cilantro, and scallions.
With soup: Noodles are often served in flavorful broths, such as Lanzhou beef noodle soup. 
4. Key Northern Chinese flavor considerations
Strong and bold flavors: Expect dishes to be well-seasoned, often leaning towards salty, with ample use of garlic, scallions, ginger, and chili peppers, according to China Highlights.
Wheat-based dishes: Beyond noodles, you'll encounter a variety of wheat-based products like dumplings, steamed buns, and pancakes.
Pickled vegetables: These are a prominent feature, adding a distinct tang and saltiness to many dishes. 
By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to preparing delicious dry noodles reminiscent of Northern Chinese culinary traditions. Enjoy the bold and satisfying flavors!

Net weight: 2.65lbs

Product of Taiwan