Longevity Noodles With Chicken, Ginger and Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Grace Young

Adapted by Julia Moskin

Longevity Noodles With Chicken, Ginger and Mushrooms Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(3,203)
Notes
Read community notes

During Chinese New Year, long noodles are eaten in all corners of China. “Longevity noodles,” also presented at birthday celebrations, are never cut or broken by the cook, and if they can be eaten without biting through the strands, it’s considered even more auspicious. Longevity noodles are usually stir fried, presenting challenges to the home cook.

Noodles should be stir-fried alone and lightly oiled so that they don’t clump together in the wok, and all ingredients must be completely dry so they sear properly. —Julia Moskin

Featured in: The Long Pull of Noodle Making

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Ingredients

Yield:2 to 3 main-dish servings

  • 12ounces thin fresh noodles, like lo mein or tagliarini
  • 2teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 12ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into ¼-inch-thick, bite-size slices
  • 1tablespoon finely shredded ginger
  • 1teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
  • 1teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Salt
  • ¼teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 2tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
  • ¼teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 5ounces (about 3 cups) thinly sliced Napa cabbage
  • 4ounces (about 2 cups) fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
  • ½cup finely shredded scallions

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (3 servings)

615 calories; 20 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 69 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 38 grams protein; 832 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Longevity Noodles With Chicken, Ginger and Mushrooms Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil over high heat and cook noodles until just done, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool, then shake well to remove water. Return noodles to pot, add sesame oil, and toss.

  2. Put chicken in a shallow bowl and add ginger, one teaspoon rice wine, cornstarch, one teaspoon soy sauce, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper. Mix gently to combine. In a small bowl, combine remaining one tablespoon rice wine and one tablespoon soy sauce.

  3. Step

    3

    Heat a wok over high heat until a bead of water evaporates almost on contact. Swirl in one tablespoon peanut oil, add red pepper flakes and stir-fry 10 seconds using a metal spatula. Push pepper flakes aside and add chicken, spreading in a single layer to maximize contact with the wok. Let cook undisturbed one minute, until chicken begins to sear.

  4. Step

    4

    Stir-fry chicken and pepper flakes together, tossing in the wok, for a minute or 2 until just done. Remove to a bowl. Add cabbage and mushrooms and stir-fry one minute until just wilted but not cooked. Empty into the bowl with chicken.

  5. Step

    5

    Reheat wok, swirl in remaining one tablespoon peanut oil, and add noodles. Stir-fry 30 seconds, moving constantly to heat through. Swirl soy sauce-rice wine mixture and add to wok along with chicken-vegetable mixture and scallions. Sprinkle on ¾ teaspoon salt and stir-fry a minute or 2 until chicken and vegetables are heated through.

Ratings

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3,203

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Miriam

Cook's Country has tested wok vs. skillet, and since American home stoves have a flat surface, a 12" skillet works better than a wok, 'cuz a wok is curved, so the heat source for a wok needs to be curved in order to work as intended.

M.S.

The order of operations and removing items from the pan and adding them back later can be important if you don't want watery stir fry. Cabbage and mushrooms are made of mostly water, the sauces have a lot of salt - adding things all at once is going to cause those ingredients to flush out all their water and into your pan. You'll essentially be stuck with something closer to ramen than stir-fry - not to mention bland with all the flavors diluted, no crisp edges on the chicken and veg.

Miriam

Could tofu be swapped for chicken, for vegetarians? Is there a certain type (hard vs soft) that would work best? Or would it cook differently? Thx!

BAJZ

While this recipe is a good concept, it's very, very bland. I doctored my dish up with more soy sauce, some rice wine vinegar and a bit of sweet chili sauce.

Elaine

Very good for someone like me who is just beginning to stretch my wok muscles. Most of this recipe is prep. Make sure to prepare everything so that you can be quick once the cook time starts. I added shredded carrots, and it was a nice touch. Xīnnián kuàilè!

Jennifer

Based on reviews about this not being flavorful enough, I used all the same measurements but only half the noodles. Also added shredded carrots and 2 cloves garlic. Forgot the cornstarch. Turned out very delicious and with a kick to it. Not soupy at all. Great consistency. Also, I did burn the chili flakes on the first try. Had to turn heat way down and start over. I didn't use chicken. Put all the spices in with veggies before I added them to the pan. Used a 12 inch non stick skillet.

Anna

Perfectly fine, but I don't get all the steps for what basically turns out to be a simple noodle stir fry. Why tip out the cabbage and mushrooms? Why "swirl" soy sauce and rice wine in a separate bowl? At the end it all is tossed in the pan. I felt like it was the same noodle stir fry I make most weeks with an extra half hour of unnecessary prep added.

Anna B

Quite tasty! I made this as a weeknight dinner with a few minor additions/alterations. First--so important to batch cook this as per the instructions so it doesn't turn into a soggy mess. I subbed buckwheat noodles (because my local shop always has them in stock). I also used prawns instead of chicken and did not marinate them to prevent sogginess, but I did add a splash of soy and shaoxing wine as I fried them. I used LaoGanMa instead of red pepper flakes to fry the shrimp. Also--- ADD GARLIC!

Heather

This was a delicious and easy recipe. I added one chopped onion, and some cilantro, oyster sauce and Sriracha to finish. My only issue is the part where I added the crushed red pepper to the oil in the wok. Maybe I had the temperature too high, but within seconds the pepper flakes burned up and smoked the kitchen, throwing me into a coughing fit and making my lungs burn for the rest of the day. I'd suggest adding the chicken to the wok first, and then the flakes.

Analisa

Of course! Go for firm, Chinese-style tofu (i.e. rather than silken tofu) if you want to maintain the original character of the dish with chunks of sturdy protein. Soft and/or silken tofu will break apart and "sauce" the noodles; also very tasty, but not the original idea here.

Susan

Yes, don't be afraid for the noodles to get quite cold with the running water, and I mixed the sesame oil in with my hand--making sure to coat them and get them un-stuck. I used linguini, and it was delicious. Enjoy!

Val

Tasty, especially with some garlic added to veg and tsp of chili garlic paste to soy/rice wine swirl. I ran the nutrition numbers. The fats do add up. Cutting a T of oil while frying, and another of sesame oil on the noodles does save a couple hundred calories. I also fed 5 with this amount. 369 cals per serving.

BRKaufmann

AMAZING!! Thank-you, we LOVED this recipe!! Only thing I would add is to remember to chop EVERYTHING first!! Once you have done the cutting the cooking goes FAST!!

ms

The order of operations and removing items from the pan and adding them back later can be important if you don't want watery stir fry. Cabbage and mushrooms are made of mostly water, the sauces have a lot of salt - adding things all at once is going to cause those ingredients to flush out all their water and into your pan. You'll essentially be stuck with something closer to ramen than stir-fry -some garlic added to veg and tsp of chili garlic paste to soy/rice wine swirl.

Sarah L.

Soba noodles made a great substitute and added earthy notes to the finished dish. No peanut oil on hand (use grapeseed) so added peanuts as garnish. Drizzle of chili oil upped the zing. Delicious!

Barbara

This was delicious- I doubled all the veggies as my husband and I are eating less meat now. So I double the sauces. Very good. I will make again and maybe add other veggies too like snap peas.

Kd

Swapped chicken with soy curls. Also added garlic, onions and soy sauce with the vegetables.

Lisa G

Reading the notes here was very helpful. To be sure it was not bland, I amped up the red pepper and also added Golden Mountain seasoning sauce, along with the sherry, soy sauce etc. I used soba noodles which I had on hand and also followed a reader’s advice and shredded carrots into it. Good touch of color. I added bean sprouts at the last moment with the noodles and sprinkled sesame seeds over it all. It was a real hit. Had just the right amount of spice!

Lois Ann

Add extra soy and red pepper flakes to taste

Cesca R

I really liked the earthiness of this dish but added a few drops of lime at the end to brighten it up and bring out the flavors a bit more.

Jason H.

Won a very positive reception at home with this tonight! Per other comments, adding sesame oil, soy sauce, and sriracha to my bowl after cooking made it quite good. Doing a lot of mise en place in advance (which is redundant) made this a quick-cooking dish. That said, we effectively increased it by about 1/3, which added cooking time. The good news is we have lots of leftovers.

Paul

A delicious dish. I'd make it again. I might add fresh Thai peppers next time.As I feared, though, the red pepper flakes burned when I added them to a too-hot wok. I recommend just adding the pepper flakes to the seared chicken unless you're confident about the wok temperature. I haven't stir-fried much, so I'm not particularly competent with a wok, but I suspect I'm typical for a moderately-skilled American home cook.

stacey

I wish I had read the comments before making. I agree that it was very low on flavor for including so many big flavors. It was overwhelmingly “blah.”

eero

Way under gingered. 4 tablespoons minimum. I like this general recipe (use tofu). But I toast a bunch of sesame seeds in the pan with half the minced ginger + sesame and olive oil, then set aside once they start to pop/brown. The second half of the fresh ginger, pan by itself with olive oil, soy sauce, and sweetened rice wine vinegar: simmer/meld for 15 minutes. Set aside to use as a finish sauce.

Julie B.

Five stars! Used Shao Hsing Rice Cooking Wine (red label) which I think made all the difference in the flavor profile. To finish plated dish I very lightly sprinkled a few drops high-end soy sauce, like Kishibori Shoyu, to give an extra umami taste.

Mary

So, of course I changed a few things after reading all the comments. Used my own homemade chili crisp in the chicken marinade. Used more cabbage than called for and could have used even more. Used dried shiitake mushrooms bc I didn’t have fresh & used far less than called for. It was delicious! No leftovers.

Syl

This was very good. Here's my experience, which may differ completely from yours:- I felt I needed to increase the seasoning amounts. More rice wine, more soy sauce, added garlic and a little garlic chili sauce.- Could have doubled the amount of Nappa cabbage; it cooks down a lot. Also needed to stir fry it and the sh*takes for at 2 or 3 minutes. - I have never understood the preference in certain (boldly spiced) recipes for white pepper vs. black pepper. And a 1/4 teaspoon? Who will notice?

Debnev

I made this for Lunar New Year, just for the fun of it. Very good, but I tend to agree with others that it could use a flavor boost. But then, who am I to say? I didn't grow up in the culture, so I have nothing to compare it to. Still, no garlic? No little bit of sweet to balance the vinegar? Anyway, it was yummy enough and I hope it provided us with a little extra longevity... : )

Lynda

I made this mostly as written, I used lots of mushrooms and spinach (rather than cabbage). I also used Dark Soy sauce which really brought out the flavors. I thought it was delicious. The noodles came from a Chinese grocery, and were only needing one minute in boiling water.

Momther

Cooked this on the Lunar New Year and it was delicious. Had everything chopped and measured so the cooking process was fast paced but easy. Added a few more pepper flakes because we like it spicy!

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Longevity Noodles With Chicken, Ginger and Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do Chinese people eat longevity noodles? ›

Sauce. Longevity noodles symbolize long life and are thought to bring good luck and prosperity.

What is the superstition about longevity noodles? ›

“Longevity noodles symbolize a long life, and growing up we would always have them during Lunar New Year and for birthdays,” Kat explains. “My grandparents would tell us to try and pick the longest strands of noodles, as they symbolize longevity.

What is a longevity noodle? ›

At Hop Lee, longevity noodles are synonymous with yi mein, also known as e-fu noodles. These chewy and spongy Cantonese egg wheat strands are dried, deep-fried and consumed all year long, especially on special occasions like birthdays and during the Spring Festival.

What is the saying about longevity noodles? ›

The longer the noodle, the longer, healthier and wealthier life you'll have.” According to Louise Kwok, who manages a Hong Kong-style restaurant, saying “long life” in China is like saying “congratulations” or even “have a nice day”.

Why do people eat longevity noodles? ›

In Asian cuisine, longevity noodles are famous for carrying many meanings about health wishes. That's why, every Tet or birthday, many people choose to enjoy longevity noodles as a way to wish themselves to always be healthy. “Every year when Tet comes, almost every table orders longevity noodles.

Can you chew longevity noodles? ›

“Longevity noodles,” also presented at birthday celebrations, are never cut or broken by the cook, and if they can be eaten without biting through the strands, it's considered even more auspicious.

What is another name for longevity noodles? ›

Longevity noodles also called yi mein or e-fu noodles, are a classic Chinese dish that is typically served for Lunar New Year or other celebrations such as weddings and birthdays.

What is the secret of Chinese longevity? ›

A long life means finding pleasure in the simple things

Usually blanched vegetables, some rice, fish and very little meat,” she said.

Why do Chinese people eat longevity noodles on Chinese New Year? ›

Longevity Noodles are a traditional dish served at the New Year in Chinese cuisine, the long noodles symbolizing the wish for good luck and a long life. Many Lunar New Year favorites are symbolic, including the tasty sesame and red bean balls, and spring rolls, stacked to look like bars of gold.

Which is the healthiest noodles in the world? ›

6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta.
  • Chickpea Pasta.
  • Veggie Noodles.
  • Red Lentil Pasta.
  • Soba Noodles.
  • White Pasta.
Jul 13, 2023

Which Chinese noodle is healthiest? ›

Rice noodles are often considered one of the healthiest options available. They are naturally gluten-free, low in fat, and easy to digest.

What are longevity noodles called in Chinese? ›

When yi mein is consumed on birthdays, it is generally referred to as long life or longevity noodles or sau mein (壽麵/寿面). The Chinese character for "long" (長壽麵/长寿面) is also added as a prefix to represent "long life".

Why can't you eat noodles everyday? ›

They're high in sodium

One of the largest contributors to dietary sodium intake is processed foods, including instant noodles. Having a diet high in salt has been linked to an increase in the risk for stomach cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Where are longevity noodles from? ›

The tradition of long life noodles, or "Yi Mein" (伊面), is steeped in the rich tapestry of Chinese history, embodying not just a culinary custom but also a philosophical and cultural symbol of the Chinese people's aspirations and values.

What do noodles symbolize? ›

Noodles: To Live Long and Prosper

According to a popular legend, Emperor Wu associated a long face with a long life. And since "noodle" in Chinese sounds like the word "face," by his reasoning, eating long noodles would increase one's lifespan.

What is the significance of noodles in Chinese culture? ›

Though noodles are part of everyday life in Chinese culture, they also hold a lot of symbolism when eaten during significant events. In China, noodles are frequently eaten during the start of the Lunar New Year and on birthdays. In fact, they symbolize longevity and good health for the year ahead.

Why are noodles important to Chinese culture? ›

In essence, noodles are a kind of cereal food, which is the main body of the traditional Chinese diet. It is the main source of energy for Chinese people and the most economical energy food.

What food symbolizes long life in China? ›

Longevity Noodles

Longevity Noodles are eaten on one's birthday, and express, as the name suggests, a wish for longevity. The noodles are usually thin and long.

Why do people eat half of a fish on the eve of Chinese New Year? ›

It's traditional to serve a whole fish on New Year's Eve and save half for the next day. The Chinese word for fish is similar to the word for surplus, and saving part of the fish for later consumption insures symbolic abundance for the future.

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