Longevity Noodles (Yi Mein)
This longevity noodle recipe (Chinese birthday noodles) features perfectly chewy noodles, with shiitake mushrooms, Chinese garlic chives and a delicious savory umami sauce.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 200 g yi mein ((7oz))
- 6 large dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 cup Chinese yellow chives
- 2 stalk green onions
- 2 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce ((for color, can sub for regular soy sauce))
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- 1
**If you're using fresh shiitake mushrooms, go straight to the Preparation Section**If you're using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak 6 large dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for about 20 minutes or until they're soft (It may take longer if you use thicker or larger dried shiitake mushrooms). (While you are waiting, prepare the rest of the ingredients).
- 2
Use a plate or small bowl and place it on top of the mushrooms to fully submerge them in the water. Once they're soft, remove them from the water. They are ready to use!
- 3
Cut off the tough stem from each shiitake mushroom, and discard it. Slice them thinly.
- 4
Cut 1 cup Chinese yellow chives into 2-inch pieces, and set them aside.
- 5
Cut and remove the rooted tips from 2 stalks green onions and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Slice the thicker white parts of the green onion, and slice them again lengthwise to make them thinner.
- 6
In a bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce), and 2 tablespoons oil.
- 7
Once the sauce has been mixed, stir in 1 cup water and set it aside for later.
- 8
Fill a large pot with water, and bring it up to a boil on high heat.
- 9
Add 200 grams yi mein to the boiling water, and press it down to submerge it into the water for a few seconds, then flip it.
- 10
Cook it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Use a utensil and gently wiggle the noodles until everything has loosened.
- 11
Once they are cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
- 12
Rinse out the large pot you used to boil the noodles, set it over the stove, and set it to medium-high heat. Once it is hot, add a bit of oil.
- 13
Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and stir fry them until they are golden brown and fragrant, approx. 2-3 minutes.
- 14
Add the Chinese chives and stir fry for a few seconds.
- 15
Add a bit more oil to the pan and add the parboiled yi mein noodles.
- 16
Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss everything together until the noodles are well coated with the sauce. Add the green onions in now as well.
- 17
Stir fry everything for 2-3 minutes. Keep the noodles moving in the pan to prevent them from sticking. Once all the sauce has been absorbed, the noodles are done.
- 18
Transfer the noodles to a serving dish. Enjoy!