Celebrating with Noodles for the New Year
Embrace this delicious custom!
As the Chinese New Year approaches, festivities are observed worldwide. Many Asian cultures refer to this time as the "Spring Festival," and it's always a time for food. The first day of the new year is filled with vibrant red lanterns, firecrackers, fireworks, family gatherings, and abundant feasting!
You can find dumplings, rice balls, and spring rolls on the menu, but a special highlight of the celebrations is the “long life noodles”—symbolizing health and prosperity. In honor of the new year and Asian cuisine, let's explore some of the most beloved noodles from around the world and the best places to savor them!
Soba noodles offer a nutty flavor and are ideal for dipping.Soba Noodles:
Made from buckwheat flour, these noodles are typically brown or beige and have a distinct nutty taste (plus, they’re packed with protein!). They’re thin like spaghetti and can be enjoyed in soups, stir fries, or chilled in salads.
Originating in Japan, where summers are hot, soba is often served cold with dipping sauce for a refreshing meal. Its thicker counterpart, udon, made from wheat flour, is usually enjoyed hot.
Where to try them: Seattle, home to a sizable Japanese community and excellent fresh fish, is a great place to find soba noodles at a sushi spot.
Egg noodles are beloved across the globe!Egg Noodles:
These vibrant yellow noodles have a rich taste and chewy texture, thanks to the addition of eggs. They're a worldwide favorite, featured in many dishes, like Lo Mein in Chinese cuisine.
Egg noodles shine in Indonesia’s famous Mee Goreng, where they're paired with a sweet, slightly sticky sauce, bean sprouts, green onions, shrimp or chicken, and additional egg cut into thin "ribbons."
Where to find them: Indonesia is famous for its Mee Goreng, so don't miss this authentic dish when visiting! If not, you can explore plenty of egg noodle dishes in the Chinatowns of New York City and San Francisco.
This adaptable noodle is often used in soups and wrapped in rice paper.Vermicelli Noodles:
These ultra-thin rice noodles are a staple in many traditional Asian dishes, from stir-fried meals to porridge-like breakfasts in China.
In the U.S., vermicelli is most commonly associated with Vietnamese cuisine. It's a key ingredient in pho, the hot, savory soup with rare beef, bean sprouts, and jalapenos—perfect for warming up in winter. These versatile noodles also feature in spring rolls, wrapped with shrimp and veggies in rice paper.
Where to try them: Vermicelli is available in Vietnamese and Thai restaurants nationwide, but if you're in Los Angeles, be sure to visit Thai Town—the only one officially recognized in the U.S.
Their name is easy to remember since they’re transparent!Glass Noodles:
Arguably the most fittingly named noodle, these clear noodles are made from starches like sweet potato or mung bean and truly resemble glass. You’ll often spot them in hot pots—a communal simmering soup at the center of the table. They’re also popular in Korean cuisine, such as japchae, a savory stir-fry, especially during holidays!
Where to try them: While Chinatown is famous, there’s also a bustling Korea Town in the heart of New York City. Fun fact: Hawaii has the largest Korean population percentage of any U.S. state!
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