Oodles of noodles

CE reporter Krishna PS shares culinary diary notes on the quintessential comfort food of the modern era
Representative image
Representative image
Updated on
5 min read

CHENNAI: Noodles, the quintessential comfort food of the modern era, are essentially long, thin strips made from flour. Whether soupy, dry, saucy, spicy, or mild, with any toppings available at hand, noodles offer a quick fix for sudden hunger pangs. Going beyond, it can also be presented as an exotic treat.

In India, noodles were once synonymous with the “two-minute” variety. However, thanks to the influence of K-pop/dramas/movies, and the widespread reach of social media reels, noodles have come to mean much more.

From Hakka noodles to Pad Thai and Japanese ramen, many versions of East Asian noodle dishes are now available across restaurants, ranging from spicy to mild, with toppings like eggs, spring onions, beef, pork, chicken, and veggies. Some eateries even offer curated dishes for anime lovers, visually crafted to match the aesthetics of their favourite shows.

Despite this variety, the love for packet noodles endures, largely due to their convenience.

Noodle experiments are common among foodies, especially if they have more than 10 minutes to spare in the kitchen.

From Indian classics like Maggi, Yippee, and Top Ramen to Korean brands like Samyang and Nongshim, Indonesian brands like Indomie, and Singaporean Koka, the market is flooded with options.

A quick flashback

The origin of noodles dates back millennia, and there is an ongoing dispute between Italians and Chinese over who first discovered this starchy treat. Many historians trace the first recorded instance of noodles to a 3rd-century AD book from the Eastern Han Dynasty in China, although they likely existed in kitchens long before this.

In 2005, archaeologists found an earthen bowl filled with noodles at a site near the Yellow River. Meanwhile, some historians argue that pasta has Mediterranean origins, with mentions in second-century Greek texts and later in the Jerusalem Talmud.

Well, for Tamilians and Malayalis, noodles aren’t exactly a new concept introduced by Pan-Asian restaurants or instant noodle brands. The traditional noolputtu or idiyappam or sevai, a popular breakfast dish in the state, is, in a way, a type of noodle.

Steeped in history, this delightful dish can be prepared in countless ways — from a quick fix to an elaborate culinary adventure. Traditional Japanese ramen, for instance, is a luxurious, soupy noodle preparation, where the soup takes hours to perfect, brimming with umami goodness. Vietnamese pho is another such dish that requires at least a day to prepare.

Whatever the form or occasion, noodles not only soothe a hungry stomach but also provide a comforting warmth. Here are a few noodle dishes you can try at home, ranging from the easy to the more challenging.

PAD THAI NOODLES

Recipe by Cafe De Bangkok

Ingredients

  • Noodles: 150 g

  • Tofu:20 g

  • Crushed peanut:25 g

  • Radish pickle: 5 g

  • Spring onion: 10 g

  • Bean sprout:10 g

  • Pad Thai sauce: 80 g

  • Dark soya sauce: 5 ml

  • Light soya sauce: 20 ml

  • Egg: 3

  • Chilli flakes: 5 g

  • Broth powder: 5 g

  • Aromatic powder: 5 g

  • Sugar: 5 g

  • Coconut milk: 20 ml

  • Lemon: 1 piece

  • Chicken: 100 g

Method

Soak 5mm flat noodles overnight. Heat oil in a wok under low flame. Stir-fry the finely chopped onion, add 2 eggs, and stir for 30 seconds, then add bean sprouts, tofu and fried shredded chicken pieces. Add coconut milk, sauce and seasoning,then stir it for some more time. Add previously soaked flat noodles and mix them thoroughly. Garnish it with crushed peanut, chilli sauce, bean sprouts and a squeeze of lemon.

Asian noodle salad

Ingredients

  • Ramen noodles: 400 g

  • Rice vinegar: 1/4 cup

  • Light soy sauce: 1/3 cup

  • Lemon juice: 2 tbsp

  • Dark sesame oil: 1/2 tbsp

  • Brown sugar: 2 tbsp

  • Garlic minced: 1 tbsp

  • Ginger minced: 1 tbsp

  • Red capsicum (deseeded and cubed): 1/2 cup

  • Finely grated carrot: 1 cup

  • Fresh coriander leaves: 1/2 cup chopped

  • Roasted salted peanuts: 1/4 cup coarsely crushed

Method

Slightly crush the noodles and cook them as per package instructions until tender. Drain noodles in a colander and rinse with cold water and set aside. Now for the salad dressing, in a large bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients well until the sugar dissolves. Add the noodles to the salad mixture and cover the bowl in the refrigerator overnight or at least for one hour minimum. Before serving, toss the salad once again to get the flavours right. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, fresh coriander leaves, and chilli flakes (optional). Serve on a bed of chopped romaine lettuce.

Spicy coconut curry ramen

Ingredients

  • Toasted sesame oil: 3 tbsp

  • Shiitakes mushrooms: 100 g (torn)

  • Garlic: 4 (grated)

  • Ginger: 1 tbsp (freshly grated)

  • Chicken/vegetable broth: 4 cups

  • Turmeric powder: ½ tsp

  • Brown sugar: ½ tsp

  • Soy sauce: 2 tbsp

  • Fish sauce: 1 tbsp

  • Chilli paste: 1-2 tbsp

  • Red curry paste: 2 tbsp (mild)

  • Unsweetened coconut milk: 1 can (400 g)

  • Lime juice: 1 tbsp

  • Instant ramen noodles: 250g

Source and pic credit: Serving Dumplings

For serving: Chilli oil, sesame seeds, chives, 4 boiled eggs (cooked for 7 minutes)

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large pot over medium flame. Add shiitakes, and cook until they start to brown. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame oil, season with salt and pepper, and cook until crispy. Remove from pot. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Cook for 1 minute. Add chicken/vegetable broth and stir. Bring to a boil. Add turmeric, brown sugar, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Add the two chilli pastes. Add coconut milk and squeeze in lime juice. When the broth starts to boil, add the ramen noodles. Cook for two minutes. Garnish with shiitakes, sesame seeds, chives, and chilli oil. Top with eggs and serve.

KOREAN GLASS NOODLES

Recipe by Chef Arun Vijayan (Glass noodles are made from water and starch derived from beans)

Ingredients

  1. Boiled glass noodles: 400 g

  2. Shredded red capsicum: 20 g

  3. Shredded beef : 100 g

  4. Shredded spring onions: 10 g

  5. Soya sauce: 12 ml

  6. White vinegar: 5 ml

  7. Brown sugar: 5 g

  8. Salt to taste

  9. Sliced mushrooms: 10 g

  10. Shredded carrots: 15 g

  11. Toasted sesame seeds: 5 g

  12. Vegetable oil: 80 ml

  13. White pepper powder: 10 g

  14. Garlic: 10 g

Method

Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the shredded beef with garlic, salt and pepper, then add the shredded vegetables and cook for 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and cook again for 2 minutes on high flame. Mix well and garnish with sesame seeds.

Stir-Fried Udon Noodles (Yaki Udon)

Recipe by Priya Harikumar

Ingredients

  • Udon noodles: 1 packet (cooked until firm in salted boiling water with a little oil)

  • Mixed vegetables: 2 cups (sliced garlic, sliced onions, broccoli, purple cabbage, capsicum, beans, carrots, mushrooms, green chillies, and spring onions)

  • Shredded chicken, cooked with salt and pepper: 1 cup (For the non-veg version)

  • Chilli oil or vegetable oil: 2 to 3 tbsp

  • Chilli garlic sauce, or a mix of red chili sauce and soy sauce: 2 to 3 tbsp

  • Salt to taste

Method

Place a large wok over medium-high heat and add chilli oil. When the oil is hot, add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the sliced onions and cook until it turns soft. Add the carrots, beans, broccoli, and other firmer vegetables. Stir-fry on high heat until they begin to soften. Season with salt. In the end, add purple cabbage and capsicum.

If using the non-veg option, add the shredded chicken and mix well. Stir in the chilli garlic sauce and let it coat the vegetables and chicken evenly.

Add the cooked noodles to the wok and toss everything together until the noodles are well coated with the sauce. Garnish with spring onions and serve hot.

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