Biang Biang Noodles with Hot Oil Dressing 油泼面

You need only five simple ingredients for Biang Biang noodles.

1. All purpose flour
2. Water
3. Salt
4. Oil
5. Time

With them, anyone can make an authentic and scrumptious bowl of hand pulled, thick and wide wheat noodles at home.

What are Biang Biang Noodles?

Biang Biang noodles originated from Shaanxi province in China where noodles and wheat based dishes are regularly consumed. The noodles are made right before cooking by stretching out pieces of dough into strips of wide, belt width noodles. Also, the action of pulling the noodles involves slapping it against the table surface, hence the name “Biang Biang” which is imitates the sound that this action makes.

"Biang" also happens to be the most complex Chinese character to write. It takes 58 strokes to write it out in its traditional form. Which adds complicity to this rather simple dish.

A relatively obscure noodles dish, not well known outside of Shaanxi, has gain a cult like following on social media as of late. No doubt due to its name, its simplicity and its delicious taste.

How to make hand pulled noodles

For my Red Braised Beef Noodle Soup 牛肉手拉面 , I showed you a fool-proof way of making hand pulled noodles at home. The only difference with making Biang Biang noodles is its width. The method is the exact same, and it goes like this:

1. Mix up the dough, and leave it to rest for 10min so it’s easier to knead it smooth.
2. Divide the smoothened dough into smaller pieces (5) and roll them into cylinders.
3. Cover each piece completely with oil and leave it to relax in an air tight container at room temperature 4. for minimum two hours.
5. When you are ready to eat, take one piece at a time, flatten and start pulling while slapping it against the table surface.

The way this works is that by allowing the dough to sufficiently rest, the gluten within develops and strengthened, making it malleable with little effort. As well, the oil plays a critical role in that it keeps the dough from drying out as it rests and it acts as a lubricant during the pulling process.

The Hot oil dressing and toppings

While you can eat Biang Biang noodles in soups or stir fried, the easiest and best way to enjoy these thick, wide hand pulled noodles is with a flash fried, hot chilli oil dressing. Called You Po Mian 油泼面, it is simple and delicious.

Just top the cooked noodles with lots of chopped/minced garlic, green onions, chilli powder (choose a less spicy variety because we are after fragrance, not heat) and white sesame seeds. Of course, adjust the amount to your taste, but be quite generous as it is the fragrance these aromatics give out as the hot oil hits them that brings out the soul of this dish.

Season with good amount of soy sauce and Chinese black vinegar and the dish will taste amazing.

Pro move

If you want to make it even better, make a tomato and egg topping. This classic and comforting stir fry dish is the perfect compliment to Biang Biang noodles aka. You Po Mian. The eggs adds protein and richness and the tomatoes, another dimension of tartness in addition to the vinegar.

So go give this a go, you'll be amazed at the results and how easy it is to achieve it!