Hot Dry Noodles (Re Gan Mian, 热干面)

Method7 steps · about 15 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Have the garlic minced and the preserved vegetables and scallions chopped before cooking. Heat a large pot of water. While it comes to a boil, stir 2 tbsp sesame paste, ½ tbsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp water in a bowl until smooth and runny.

   Uses Water for the large noodle pot · 2 tbsp pure toasted sesame paste · ½ tbsp sesame oil · 1 tbsp water for the sesame paste

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Put the 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl. Once the pot boils, spoon out 2 tbsp boiling water and pour it over the garlic. Set the garlic water aside.

   Uses 2 minced garlic cloves · 2 tbsp boiling water from the pot in step 1

3. 3

   Step 3: Add the two portions of fresh alkaline noodles to the boiling water. Cook according to the noodles’ directions until just cooked and still firm when bitten; do not let them become gummy or mushy.

   Uses 2 portions fresh alkaline wheat noodles · The remaining boiling water in the pot from step 1

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Drain the cooked noodles, rinse them under running water for a few seconds to remove excess starch, then drain well and divide equally between two serving bowls.

   Uses All noodles lifted from the cooking water in step 3 · Running water for a brief noodle rinse

5. 5

   Step 5: For each bowl, add 1 tbsp light soy sauce, ½ tsp dark soy sauce, 1 pinch salt and 1 pinch ground white pepper. Add a dash of ready chili oil to each bowl if you want it.

   Uses Both noodle bowls from step 4 · 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp per bowl · 1 tsp dark soy sauce, ½ tsp per bowl · 2 pinches salt, 1 pinch per bowl · 2 pinches white pepper, 1 pinch per bowl · A dash of ready chili oil per bowl, if using

6. 6

   Step 6: Divide the prepared sesame dressing and garlic water equally between the two bowls of noodles.

   Uses Both seasoned bowls from step 5 · All sesame dressing from step 1, divided equally between the bowls · All garlic and its water from step 2, divided equally between the bowls

7. 7

   Step 7: Top with chopped pickled long beans, preserved daikon and scallions. Stir immediately to distribute the dressing before the noodles stick together, and serve straightaway.

   Uses Both dressed bowls from step 6 · Chopped pickled long beans for topping · Chopped preserved daikon for topping · Finely chopped scallions for topping