Hot and Sour Soup Noodles Recipe（酸辣粉）

Today, we're sharing a classic Sichuan snack—Hot and Sour Noodles. This dish features tender, springy sweet potato noodles paired with a rich, tangy broth that will leave you craving more. The recipe is simple, but the flavor is truly unmatched! {Suitable for vegetarians/vegans, gluten-free option available}

There are many variations of Sichuan Hot and Sour Noodles, including instant versions, which shows just how popular this dish is. Today, we'll be making an authentic version of Sichuan Hot and Sour Noodles, complete with detailed instructions and tips to ensure you can easily master this delicious dish.

1.About Hot and Sour Noodles

Hot and Sour Noodles originated in the western region of Sichuan and are a traditional snack in Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou. Known for their unique combination of numbing spice, heat, freshness, fragrance, and tanginess, the noodles are served in a rich yet non-greasy broth.

Typically, these noodles are made from sweet potato or potato starch and are paired with an intensely spicy and savory broth. They are often topped with a small amount of minced pork (which can be omitted for vegetarians), pickled vegetables, and crispy fried peanuts or soybeans.

In China, Hot and Sour Noodles are incredibly popular and can be found nationwide. However, they are still relatively unknown outside of China. But if you ever get the chance to try them, you’ll likely fall in love with this flavorful dish after just one bite.

2.Characteristics of Hot and Sour Noodles

The key characteristics of Hot and Sour Noodles are their numbing spiciness, heat, freshness, fragrance, and tanginess. Unlike other classic noodle dishes like Dan Dan Noodles, Wonton Noodles, or Biang Biang Noodles, Hot and Sour Noodles are made with smooth, springy sweet potato starch noodles. These noodles have a satisfyingly chewy texture, elevating the dining experience to a whole new level of enjoyment.

3.Ingredients and Substitutes

Noodles: Hot and Sour Noodles are traditionally made with sweet potato starch noodles, which provide the dish with its unique chewy and smooth texture, making it a delicious and traditional snack.

Substitutes: You can use potato starch noodles or regular wheat noodles as a replacement, but keep in mind that using regular noodles may result in a less authentic flavor and texture.

Toppings: Essential ingredients for Hot and Sour Noodles include cilantro, dried chili peppers, Thai chili peppers, scallions, garlic, and fried peanuts.

Substitutes: You can use soybeans instead of peanuts, and for a meatier version, add minced pork.

Seasonings: Key seasonings include Sichuan peppercorns, salt, sesame seeds, sugar, soy sauce, aged vinegar, and oyster sauce.

Substitutes: If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add homemade chili oil.

Important Tip: The ingredients listed above are commonly found in Chinese cuisine. You can easily find them at Chinese grocery stores or online.

4.Common Issues with Hot and Sour Noodles

Imbalanced Seasoning: Proper seasoning is crucial when making Hot and Sour Noodles. Pay close attention to balancing the sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. Overemphasis or underemphasis on any one flavor can throw off the dish's taste.

Incorrect Noodle Cooking: Overcooked or undercooked noodles can negatively affect the dish's texture. It's important to cook the noodles just right, avoiding them becoming too soft or too firm.

Improper Ingredient Selection and Pairing: Using the wrong ingredients or incorrect proportions can disrupt the overall flavor profile. Be mindful of the balance and harmony between ingredients to ensure a well-rounded taste.

Inadequate Temperature Control: The temperature of Hot and Sour Noodles plays a significant role in the dish's flavor. It’s best enjoyed at the right temperature, so avoid serving it too hot or too cold, as this can impact the overall experience.

5.How Long Should Sweet Potato Noodles Soak?

Hot and Sour Noodles are primarily made from sweet potato noodles, which are derived from sweet potato starch. These noodles are quite firm and need to be soaked before cooking to soften them, making them easier to cook thoroughly. Generally, sweet potato noodles should be soaked for about 30 to 60 minutes. For this recipe, the noodles are thinner, so a 30-minute soak should be sufficient.

6.How to Get Fried Peanuts

You have two options for getting fried peanuts:

Purchase: Fried peanuts are readily available in most supermarkets.

Homemade Fried Peanuts: If you prefer to make them yourself, follow these steps:

Prepare and Clean the Peanuts: Rinse the peanuts thoroughly.

Heat the Oil: Preheat a pan of oil to medium-high heat.

Fry the Peanuts: Add the peanuts to the hot oil, making sure they are fully submerged.

Cook: Fry the peanuts over medium-low heat until they turn golden and crispy, which usually takes about 5-8 minutes.

Drain and Cool: Remove the peanuts, drain the excess oil, and allow them to cool.

Store: Once cooled, store the peanuts in a dry container.

7.Hot and Sour Noodles Eating Tips

Be Careful of the Heat: Freshly made Hot and Sour Noodles can be very hot, so be cautious to avoid burning yourself.

Watch the Spice Level: Hot and Sour Noodles are inherently spicy. If you’re sensitive to spice, be sure to use less chili pepper.

8.More Delicious Noodle Recipes

Rice Noodle Rolls (Guangdong Style)

Simple Tom Yum Noodles

Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup

Wonton Mee

Now that you have a good understanding of Hot and Sour Noodles, here’s a detailed recipe for you to try making at home! If you enjoy our recipes, please follow us for more high-quality content and updates.