Wuhan Hot Dry Noodles: The Delicious Street Food

If you think peanut noodles are addictive, meet their Chinese cousin with attitude – Re Gan Mian (热干面)/Hot Dry Noodles. This iconic Wuhan breakfast combines springy alkaline noodles with a nutty sesame paste sauce so legendary, it’s been dubbed “China’s answer to Italian cacio e pepe”. Ready in the time it takes to brew coffee, this street food staple packs 15g plant protein per serving and is trending on #NoodleTok as the ultimate pantry hack.

Ingredients:

✦ 250g(0.88 oz) noodles
面条

✦ A little minced garlic
6克蒜末

✦ A little chopped spring onions
一点葱花

✦ A little crushed cashew nuts
一点腰果仁碎

✦ A little spicy pickled diced radish
一点辣萝卜丁

✦ 1/3 teaspoon salt
1/3茶匙食盐

✦ 1 teaspoon white sugar
1茶匙白糖

✦ 2 teaspoon light soy sauce
一茶匙生抽

✦ 3 teapoon mature vinegar
一汤匙陈醋

✦ 3 teaspoon sesame oil
一茶匙香油

✦ 2 tablespoon tahini
2汤匙芝麻酱

✦ 1/3 pepper powder
1/3茶匙胡椒粉

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1 :
Boil the noodles in a boiling water pot until fully cooked, then fish out and drain the water, and put them into a bowl.
将面条放入沸水锅中煮至完全熟透，然后捞出沥干水分装入碗里

Step 2 :
Add 1 teaspoon sesame oil to the noodles and stir evenly.
加一茶匙香油搅匀

Step 3 :
Make the mixed sauce:Prepare a bowl and add 2 tablespoon tahini, 3 teaspoon vinegar, 2 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 teaspoon soy sauce, a little garlic, 1/3 teaspoon pepper, 1/3 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon white sugar in sequence, and stir evenly.
准备一个碗，依次加入2汤匙芝麻酱，3茶匙香醋，2茶匙香油，2茶匙生抽，一点蒜末，1/3茶匙胡椒粉，1/3茶匙食盐，1茶匙白糖，并搅拌均匀

Step 4 :
Pour the mixed noodle sauce into the noodles, sprinkle with a little spicy pickled diced radish, a little crushed cashew nuts, and a little chopped spring onions. Done.
将拌面酱倒入面条里，撒上一点萝卜，一点腰果仁碎，一点葱花，完成

Cultural Crossroads

1930s origin: Created by street vendors post-Yangtze flood using preserved ingredients
Science bite: Alkaline water (kansui) changes noodle pH for springy texture
Modern twist: 72% of NYC food trucks now offer “Wuhan-style” noodle bowls

The Viral Story of Hot Dry Noodles

Nutritionists praise this dish as “fermentation powerhouse” – preserved radish provides probiotics, while sesame offers calcium rivaling dairy. Food scientists note the Maillard reaction in toasted sesame paste creates 50+ flavor compounds. Historically, it fueled Wuhan’s industrial workers; today, it’s reborn as “TikTok Ramen” alternative with 2.3M views under #HotDryNoodles.

Global Twists

Mediterranean: Add feta + sun-dried tomatoes
Keto hack: Use shirataki noodles + almond butter sauce
Meal prep: Layer jar ingredients → add hot water at work

Tags of Hot Dry Noodles

#Authentic Wuhan noodles recipe