Chinese egg noodles, also known as dan mian, are a versatile noodle ingredient used in many Chinese dishes. They have a rich, eggy flavor and a delightfully chewy texture when cooked properly. But how long should you cook Chinese egg noodles to achieve the perfect texture?
What are Chinese Egg Noodles?
Chinese egg noodles are made from wheat flour, eggs, and water or alkali water. They are available fresh or dried and come in various widths, from thin vermicelli styles to wide ribbons. The egg content gives the noodles their distinct yellow color and a richer taste compared to regular wheat noodles.
Some common types of Chinese egg noodles include:
- Dan mian – thin, round egg noodles
- Hong mian – wide, flat egg noodles
- Gan mian – thick, chewy knife-cut noodles
The egg noodles are very versatile and used in stir fries, soups, braises, and noodle dishes. They are the main noodle ingredient in beloved Chinese dishes like lo mein, chow mein, pan-fried noodles, and wonton noodle soup.
How to Cook Chinese Egg Noodles
Chinese egg noodles can be cooked either by boiling, pan frying, or dipping in soup to heat through. The cooking time will vary depending on the freshness and thickness of the noodles.
Here are some general guidelines for how long to cook egg noodles:
Fresh Egg Noodles
- Thin noodles: 1-2 minutes
- Medium noodles: 2-3 minutes
- Thick noodles: 3-5 minutes
Fresh Chinese egg noodles take very little time to cook and are best when cooked al dente. Cook them in boiling water until just tender, then drain immediately. Do not overcook or the noodles will become mushy.
Dried Egg Noodles
- Thin noodles: 2-3 minutes
- Medium noodles: 5-7 minutes
- Thick noodles: 7-10 minutes
Dried Chinese egg noodles take longer to rehydrate and become tender during cooking. Bring water to a boil first before adding the noodles. Cook according to package instructions until noodles are al dente. Avoid overcooking dried noodles or they can become gluey in texture.
Pre-cooked Egg Noodles
Many fresh or dried Chinese egg noodle products are pre-cooked and can simply be reheated before using. This helps shorten cooking time.
- Thin noodles: 20-30 seconds
- Medium noodles: 1 minute
- Thick noodles: 1-2 minutes
For pre-cooked noodles, boil water first, then remove from heat. Dip the noodles in the hot water to reheat until warmed through before tossing with other ingredients.
Tips for Cooking Chinese Egg Noodles
Here are some top tips to keep in mind when cooking Chinese egg noodles:
- Bring water to a rapid boil before adding noodles. This helps prevent noodles from sticking together.
- Add noodles gently to boiling water. Do not overcrowd the pot.
- Stir noodles gently after adding to water to prevent sticking.
- Test a noodle before draining to ensure desired doneness. They should be cooked through but still have some firmness.
- Drain noodles immediately after cooking and rinse with cold water to remove excess starch and stop further cooking.
- Toss noodles with a little oil after cooking to prevent sticking.
- Do not overcook noodles or they will become mushy. It is better for them to be slightly underdone.
How to Tell When Chinese Egg Noodles Are Done
Here are some ways to test if your Chinese egg noodles are cooked correctly:
- Appearance: Noodles should appear smooth, glossy, and separated but still retain their shape and not be mushy.
- Texture: The noodles should be tender but still have some firmness (al dente). They should not be gummy, sticky, or fall apart easily when handled.
- Taste: The noodle should have a rich egg flavor. It should not taste raw or floury.
- Boiling water: If boiling vigorously when noodles are added, fresh noodles take 1-3 minutes to cook. Dried noodles take 5-10 minutes.
- Test a noodle: Remove a noodle from the pot and taste it. It should be cooked through but still firm.
Err on the side of underdone when unsure. Chinese egg noodles can continue cooking in residual heat even after draining.
Common Mistakes When Cooking Chinese Egg Noodles
It’s easy to over or undercook Chinese egg noodles. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Not bringing water to a rapid boil before adding noodles. This can cause noodles to stick together.
- Overcrowding the pot with too many noodles. This prevents even cooking.
- Not stirring noodles after adding to boiling water. Noodles can clump or stick to the pot.
- Not cooking noodles long enough. Undercooked noodles will be stiff and taste floury or eggy.
- Cooking noodles too long. This causes them to become mushy and lose their texture.
- Not rinsing noodles after cooking to remove excess starch.
- Not tossing cooked noodles in oil. This prevents noodles from sticking together.
How to Store Leftover Chinese Egg Noodles
Cooked Chinese egg noodles don’t keep well for more than 1-2 days. To maximize freshness:
- Portion noodles into single servings before refrigerating. This prevents clumping.
- Cool noodles quickly after cooking by rinsing or chilling in an ice bath. Remove all moisture before storing.
- Place cooled noodles in airtight containers or zip top bags.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- To reheat, add small amounts of water to prevent noodles from drying out.
Uncooked fresh or dried Chinese egg noodles can be kept in their original packaging in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. To freeze extra fresh noodles, portion into bags, remove air, and freeze for up to 2 months.
6 Quick and Easy Ways to Use Chinese Egg Noodles
Once you’ve mastered cooking Chinese egg noodles, try using them in these quick and easy noodle dishes:
- Stir fried noodles: Toss cooked noodles in a hot wok with soy sauce, oyster sauce, vegetables and protein.
- Noodle soup: Drop fresh or cooked noodles into hot broth with wontons, vegetables and meat.
- Chow mein/chop suey: Mix cooked noodles with stir fried meat and veggies.
- Lo mein: Boil then pan fry noodles with mushrooms, cabbage, carrot and chicken.
- Sesame noodles: Toss hot noodles in a sauce of sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar and chili oil.
- Pad see ew: Wok fry rice noodles in a sweet soy sauce with Chinese broccoli and eggs.
Conclusion
Cooking Chinese egg noodles perfectly takes some finesse. Fresh noodles take just 1-3 minutes in boiling water while dried noodles need 5-10 minutes to become tender. Undercooking leaves noodles stiff and raw tasting while overcooking turns them to mush. Use visual and texture cues to test doneness and remove them from heat at just the right moment. With the proper cooking time and a few simple tips, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked noodles for all your favorite Chinese dishes.