Hand-pulled noodles (La Mian), a foolproof
A complete guide to Chinese hand-pulled noodles. Techniques explained in detail and two shapes introduced. Following this recipe, everyone can make them with ease!
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour (about 2 cups (see note 1))
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 125 ml water (1/2 cup + 1 tsp )
- cooking oil (for coating the dough)
Instructions
- 1
IF KNEADING BY HAND: Mix flour and salt. Add water gradually. Mix with chopsticks/spatula until no more loose flour can be seen. Combine and knead briefly into a dough. Leave to rest for 10-15 minutes (covered). Knead again for about 2 minutes until very smooth.
- 2
IF KNEADING WITH A STAND MIXER: Add flour, salt and water into the mixing bowl. Knead on low speed until a very smooth dough forms.
- 3
Divide the dough into two equal parts. With a rolling pin, flatten each piece into a rectangle shape (about 1/2 cm thick).
- 4
Thoroughly coat each piece with oil then place them on a tray. Cover with cling film then leave to rest for 1.5 hours.
- 5
Bring a large pot of water to a full boil. While waiting, cut the dough.
- 6
Place one piece of dough on a chopping board. Widthways, cut it into strips: about 1 cm wide if making round, thin noodles; about 3 cm wide if making flat, wide noodles.
- 7
Pick up one strip of dough by holding each end gently. Pull towards opposite directions. The movement should be smooth and consistent.
- 8
As your arms move apart, bounce the noodle against the worktop to help it stretch further.
- 9
Fold the noodle and repeat the movement (Please refer to the video below).
- 10
Drop the pulled noodle into boiling water. Repeat the procedure to pull other strips cut from the first piece of dough.
- 11
Cook 1 minute for the thin noodles or 2 minutes for the wide noodles (While waiting, cut the second piece of dough into strips.). Transfer the noodles to a serving bowl using a pair of chopsticks.
- 12
Repeat to pull and cook the second bowl of noodles.
- 13
To avoid the noodles sticking to each other, serve immediately.
- 14
You may add a broth or mix the noodles with toppings/dressings. Please see note 4 for recipe links.
- 15
If not serving straight away, you need to briefly rinse the noodles with cold water then add a few drops of sesame oil and stir well. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- 16
To reheat: Bring a pot of water to a full boil. Add the noodles and cook for no more than 30 seconds.