The noodle is a complex, yet simple, food. Complex in that there are so many varieties, yet simple because they can be paired with basic ingredients to make a well-rounded meal. With Asian and Middle East origins, we encourage you to twirl, slurp, and indulge in these eleven bowls of noodles from around the world.
1. Chow mein, China
This is one of China’s favourite comfort food meals. Chow mein features yellow egg noodles as the star of the show. These are either deep-fried for the crispy version or boiled for the soft version. A saucy mix of vegetables, egg and meat are stir-fried and poured over the noodles to create this delicious dish.
2. Udon, Japan
Udon are thick noodles made from wheat flour, giving them a delightfully bouncy chew. Udon is generally served in a flavourful dashi broth with different pairings for you to choose from. For a crispy bite, order your udon with tempura vegetables and/or prawns; for a succulent meal, try udon with sukiyaki beef and an onsen egg.
3. Fideuà, Spain
If you’re travelling through Spain and you’ve had your fair share of paella, a plate of fideuà could be the ticket to switch up your Spanish food game. Fideuà was invented in Valencia by fishermen as a ‘poor man’s’ meal but has now become a crowd favourite in the Catalonia region. Instead of rice, a substitute of thin noodles is cooked in a seafood broth and topped with the same seafood ingredients as a paella. You can dig in as is or enjoy fideuà with a tangy aioli.
4. Pad see ew, Thailand
Pad see ew translates to ‘stir-fried soy sauce noodles’ and is a street food favourite in Thailand. Wide, flat rice noodles are fried in a wok to get the perfect char on it – or wok hei, a traditional way of Asian cooking. When you cook ingredients on a very high heat in a wok, steam and smoke combine to create a real umami flavour. Light and dark soy sauce, garlic, Chinese broccoli, egg and a protein are added to the wok with the noodles, plated and served.
5. Tortellini en brodo, Italy
Italy’s answer to chicken noodle soup, tortellini en brodo is a must-try when in the Emilia-Romagna region (think Bologna or Modena). Small tortellini are filled with meat and served in a broth that creates a refreshing, light meal. And of course, it wouldn’t be an Italian meal without a topping of grated parmesan.
6. Somen, Japan
Another Japanese wheat-based noodle, somen is udon’s thinner sibling. While udon is served in soup, somen is served dry with a cold tsuyu sauce on the side for dipping. This refreshing noodle dish is perfect for the hot and humid Japanese summers.
7. Tallarines verdes, Peru
Think of a bowl of pesto pasta but make it Peruvian, aka tallerines verdes! The base of the pesto sauce is like the Italian version – basil, garlic, walnuts and olive oil – however Peruvians add evaporated milk, spinach and queso fresco (a soft Mexican cheese). A bowl of tallerines verdes is certainly one to indulge in when in Peru.
8. Japchae, South Korea
Have you ever tried sweet potato noodles? This Korean staple – japchae – has the perfect bite and was invented by a royal servant for a celebration. This dish is known for highlighting five distinctive colours with its key ingredients: orange carrots, black mushrooms, green spinach, and yellow and white for egg. Finished off with soy sauce, sesame oil and a dash of sugar and you have the perfect sweet and savoury Korean noodle dish.
9. Bún chà, Vietnam
Bún chà is one of Hanoi’s most well-known noodle dishes. Bún is rice vermicelli noodles, and chà is the smoky grilled pork that accompanies it, along with fresh herbs and a generous bowl of nuoc cham sauce. Each item is served separately so you can create the perfect mouthful each time. While this dish was already popular amongst locals and travellers, it shot to even bigger fame when it was featured on an episode of the late Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’. Bourdain enjoyed this quintessential meal with none other than Barack Obama!
10. Spaetzle, Germany
Spaetzle is Germany’s answer to comfort food. These egg noodles have a unique shape, made by pushing the dough through a colander (or special spaetzle machine) straight into boiling water. Spaetzle can be served simply – dressed in butter, herbs and cheese – or all out – with pork or chicken, and gravy. Either way, spaetzle is the ultimate dish to warm you up during winter. You can also find variations in other Central European countries.
11. Laksa, Singapore
We’ve listed laksa under Singapore; however, we must also acknowledge that it’s a traditional noodle dish in Malaysia and Indonesia. Its origins are of Peranakan cuisine which is a delightful combination of China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. This means you’ll find regional varieties depending on where you visit. Ultimately, laksa features a spicy broth, up to two types of noodles (primarily egg noodles, but vermicelli may also be included for a textural element), chicken or seafood, tofu puffs and fresh herbs.
Feeling hungry? We certainly are and these eleven bowls of noodles are just the beginning! Dig into one of these delicious bowls on Globus or Cosmos tour, or an Avalon Waterways river cruise.
