Hey friends! 🍜 Have you ever craved that chewy, bouncy, hand-pulled noodle texture you get from homemade noodle shops? Same here!


One rainy weekend, I got nostalgic and decided to try making hand-pulled noodles from scratchβ€”just for the joy of it… and guess what? It turned out so much easier (and messier!) than I expected!


Why Make Noodles by Hand?


I grew up watching my grandpa stretch and slap dough in the kitchen like it was magic. I always thought it was something only pros could do. But turns out β€” with a little patience and some elbow grease β€” we can absolutely recreate that comforting, homemade taste right in our own kitchens. Plus, it's a workout πŸ˜…


Here's What You'll Need πŸ›’


Only a few simple ingredients β€” no machines, just your hands!


β€’ 2 cups all-purpose flour


β€’ 1/2 tsp salt


β€’ About 3/4 cup warm water


β€’ A bit of extra flour for dusting


Optional: a few drops of oil if your dough feels dry


Let's Make the Dough ✨


1. Mix it up. Combine flour and salt in a bowl, then slowly add the warm water while mixing with your hands.


2. Knead it. Once it starts coming together, knead the dough on a clean surface for about 10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic. It'll feel like a workout but stick with it!


3. Rest time. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This is key to soft and stretchy noodles.


The Fun Part – Pulling! πŸ™Œ


1. Divide the rested dough into small pieces (about golf-ball size).


2. Roll each piece into a short rope.


3. Gently stretch the rope while pulling from both ends. Tap it on the counter as you stretch β€” it helps it lengthen evenly.


4. Repeat the stretch-and-slap motion until it's the length you want.


5. Drop into boiling water right away and cook for about 2–3 minutes.


Serving Ideas 🍲


I love tossing them with garlic oil and soy sauce, or adding them straight into soup with veggies and a boiled egg. The texture is so fresh β€” a bit chewy but soft enough to soak up flavor.


Tips That Helped Me πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ


β€’ If your dough snaps while pulling, let it rest a bit longer.


β€’ Dusting your hands and the dough lightly with flour helps prevent sticking.


β€’ Don't overthink the shape β€” it's rustic, not perfect!


Pulling It All Together ❀️


Making noodles by hand isn't just about food β€” it's about slowing down, embracing the process, and getting your hands messy in the best way. I didn't think I could do it, but now it's become one of my favorite weekend routines.


Would you try this at home? Or have you ever made noodles by hand? Let me know β€” I'd love to hear your stories or see your noodle pics! πŸ’¬