Belle's Noodle Tips For Noodle Month

Noodle month on Belle About Town - tips for cooking noodles with expert chefs from Royal China

It’s National Noodle Month – a time to celebrate all of the different types of noodles that are enjoyed around the world. Originating in China over 2000 years ago, noodles are a staple to Chinese cooking and prepared in the right way can make for a simple yet delicious dinner. So in appreciation of all things stringy, Belle About Town consulted the chefs at Royal China Group and asked them to reveal their top tips for how to best prepare and enjoy noodles at home.

Oodles of noodles!

Tips on cooking noodles for noodle month on Belle About Town with Royal China — Noodles cooked to perfection by the chefs at Royal China

There are a loads of different types of noodles and it is important that you pick the right one for the dish that you are making. Vermicelli rice noodles are very thin and are often stir-fried to form the base of the popular dish, Singapore noodles. In contrast, udon are thick and are often used in soups. If you are making a simple stir-fry then egg noodles or medium wheat noodles would work best.

Boil it right

If you’re going to boiling your noodles it is important to make sure the water has fully come to the boil before adding the noodles, otherwise they will become mushy. Cook them according to the instructions on the packet, but like pasta the noodles should have a bit of bite to them when they are cooked.

Hot wok

Stir-fried noodles should be cooked in a wok quickly at a high heat. When cooking at a high heat it is necessary to pick an oil with a high smoke point such as sunflower oil, corn oil and sesame oil. The latter adds a great nutty flavour to both the noodles and accompanying meat, seafood and vegetables.

Fresh ingredients

Crunchy vegetables, such as pak choi, beansprouts, spring onion and mangetout, will add some great texture to your noodles. Using fresh garlic, chilli and ginger will give your stir-fry a punchy, aromatic flavour.

Source the sauce

A well-stocked cupboard can be all you need to make a delicious sauce to accompany your noodles. Be creative with different combinations, but soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, crunchy peanut butter, garlic and chilli will make a great satay sauce. If your sauce is looking a little thin, then add some cornflour dissolved in water to thicken.

The Royal China Group consists of six of London’s most authentic and prestigious Chinese restaurants, including the luxurious and critically-acclaimed Royal China Club. Other branches are in Baker Street, Bayswater, Fulham, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Canary Wharf.

Emily Cleary

After almost a decade chasing ambulances, and celebrities, for Fleet Street's finest, Emily has taken it down a gear and settled for a (slightly!) slower pace of life in the suburbs. With a love of cheese and fine wine, Emily is more likely to be found chasing her toddlers round Kew Gardens than sipping champagne at a showbiz launch nowadays, or grabbing an hour out of her hectic freelancer's life to chill out in a spa while hubby holds the babies. If only!

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