Hey friends! π 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 scratchβjust for the joy of itβ¦ and guess what? It turned out so much easier (and messier!) than I expected!
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 π
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
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.
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 2β3 minutes.
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.
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!
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! π¬