The noodle is an integral part of cuisine for various cultures around the world. One of the most versatile foods, noodles can be made from a variety of ingredients. Regarded as both fine dining and homey comfort food, noodles are easy to make, delicious, and are beloved by many people. Today is National Noodle Day! What better way to celebrate than by trying out traditional noodle dishes from your favorite countries around the world.
1. Phở and Bún Bò Huế - Vietnam
Phở originated in Northern Vietnam during the mid-1880s and was influenced by both Chinese and French cooking. Another popular Vietnamese noodle dish is bún bò huế, which is a spicy beef noodle soup.
In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, you'll find locals slurping up steaming bowls of this noodle soup, every hour of every day. The best part of a bowl of phở is the garnishes, which turn it into a kind of 'build your own' meal: Fish sauce, hoisin sauce, Thai basil, cilantro, mint, scallions, chilies, bean sprouts, and lots and lots of fresh lime.
The noodle used in both soups is typically a rice noodle or rice vermicelli. Rice noodles are usually less starchy and have a nice springy texture.
2. Japchae - Korea
Originating in Korea in the early 17th century, japchae is a popular dish made from glass noodles with vegetables and sometimes meat. Japchae can be served warm, cold, and I've even had it inside a dumpling before.
The noodles used in japchae are called Dangmyeon, also known as glass or cellophane noodles. They are chewy, elastic, and are made from sweet potato starch.
3. Spätzle - Germany
Spätzle is a delicious egg noodle originating from Germany and consumed in various western European countries. Spätzle can be prepared in a variety of ways, but a popular dish includes spätzle with cheese and onions.
The noodles are very chewy and dumpling-like.
4. Fideuà - Spain
This Spanish seafood dish is similar to paella, but it's made with noodles instead of rice.
5. Cacio e pepe - Italy
Italy is incredibly well known for its pasta dishes, and one of the simplest, but most delicious is cacio e pepe, which dates back to Roman times. It translates to cheese and pepper and those are the main ingredients, along with the pasta.
6. Pad Thai - Thailand
There are so many delicious Thai noodle dishes, but perhaps the most well-known is pad thai. Thai food masterfully walks a delicate line between salty, spicy, sour, and sweet.
Pad thai is typically made with rice noodles creating a chewy texture to soak up the amazing flavors.
7. Shan Noodles - Myanmar
Shan noodles are a lesser-known dish, but these rice noodles are a Myanmar staple.
The rice noodles are made from a variety of local rice strains.
8. Ash Reshteh - Iran
The ultimate comfort food, Ash Reshteh is believed to bring good fortune and is typically eaten before the new year.
Reshteh noodles are a type of flat, wide egg noodle.
9. Tallarin Saltado - Peru
Tallerin saltado is a fried noodle dish made from linguine noodles. The ingredients usually include tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, green onion, cilantro and beef. It is a chifa dish, a marriage of Peruvian and Cantonese cuisines.
10. Knife Cut Noodles - China
If Italy is the king of pasta, China is the king of noodles. There are a plethora of amazing noodle dishes that come from all across this country.
Knife-cut noodle is a way to describe the wide, flat noodles often featured in meals, such as these sesame noodles.
11. Makaronilaatikko - Finland
Makaronilaatikko is a type of casserole, and usually includes ingredients such as cheese sauce, beef, ketchup, and onions.
12. Idiyappam - India / Sri Lanka
Idiyappam is a thin noodle that is often served alongside curries and other stew dishes.
13. Sopa de fideo - Mexico
Sopa de fideo is a tomato-ey chicken soup full of thin pasta.
14. Lapsha - Russia
Lapsha are long noodles made of flour, eggs, boiling water, and butter. They pair well with sour cream or butter.
15. Udon - Japan
Udon noodles are a delightfully thick wheat flour noodles. Their circumference makes them very robust and chewy.
16. Laksa - Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia
A staple dish, laksa has a spicy broth that's coconut- or tamarind- based, and toppings like bean sprouts and seafood. Usually, hokkein or rice noodles are used.
17. Saimin - Hawai'i
Saimin is an awesome noodle dish inspired by the many cultures in Hawaii. Soft egg noodles are served in a dashi broth and topped with green onions, Spam, fish cake, and more.
18. Kushari - Egypt
Rice, lentils, chickpeas, and macaroni are tossed together and topped with a spiced tomato sauce, garlic vinegar, and fried onions. It's regarded as one of Egypt's national dishes.
19. Soba - Japan
Soba is a thin, buckwheat noodle that can either be served hot or cold.
20. Kluski z Makiem - Poland / Czech Republic
A traditional Christmas Eve dish, this is sweet pasta made with poppy seeds, raisins, nuts, and candied fruits. Poppy seeds are always present because they represent wealth in the coming year.
21. Lokshen kugel - Central Europe (Jewish)
Traditionally a round, baked sweet or savory pudding or casserole made of noodles or potatoes.
22. Ramen - Japan
Ramen is a Japanese dish consisting of wheat noodles served in a meat or fish-based broth.
23. Ramen burgers - United States of America
What other country would decide to turn noodles into a burger bun? Regardless, it's absolutely delicious!
