Xi’an Biang Biang noodles

The character for “Biang” is considered to be the most complex Chinese character. Depending on the variation, it has between 42 to 71 stokes. It’s so complicated that even today this character can’t be written by a computer. The photo on the left is a Biang Biang noodle stall that I saw in Xi’an on my last Culinary Tour of China. See how complicated the first two characters are!

Choose the right flour

For Biang Biang noodles, I use British standard plain flour (all-purpose flour) with a protein content ranging between 10% and 11%. If your flour has a higher protein content (over 12%, eg. bread flour), I suggest you add a little cake flour. Otherwise, the dough might be too elastic, tending to easily return to its original form after pulling.

My recommended flour-water ratio is 2:1 in weight. After the first kneading, the dough needs to be medium-firm and it will get softer over time. The ratio may vary slightly depending on the brand. Adjust accordingly.

Allow time to rest the dough

You only need three basic ingredients to make the dough for Biang Biang noodles: flour, water and a little salt. However, another “intangible ingredient” plays an important role if you’d like a fail-proof experience. That is patience.

In other words, you need to allow the dough enough time to rest. I know the importance of this trick from watching my parents cooking long ago, but I didn’t know the reason why resting makes dough stretchy until I read a scientific article about the dough:

From the moment you bring a liquid ingredient (such as milk or water) in contact with wheat flour, the individual gluten proteins in the flour unravel and hook onto one another, creating strong bonds. With time, an elaborate network of interconnected gluten strings forms…… It is the gluten network that holds a dough together and gives it elasticity and the ability to stretch.

——The Scientific Secret of Stretchy Dough, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

Three stages of dough resting

Plan ahead and never rush. If you keep to this golden rule, you will find it so easy to make hand-pulled noodles. The resting process takes place in three stages:

1. The first resting procedure applies to the situation where you knead the dough by hands. Roughly combine the ingredients to form a dough. Leave it to rest for 10- 15 minutes then knead it again. This will help you to achieve a very smooth dough without too much effort (If using a stand mixer, simply knead at a low speed for 5 minutes).
2. After dividing the dough into small pieces and coating each piece with oil, leave them to rest for at least 1 hour.
3. When ready, flatten the dough piece into a rectangle shape. Do not pull it straight away. Allow it a little time to rest again. By the time you’ve flattened other pieces, the first piece will be ready to be pulled.

How to pull the noodles

Pulling noodles with your hands may seem a little intimidating. In fact, it can be quite easy if you prepare and rest the dough properly. I have a separate blog post “Hand-pulled Noodles, a Foolproof Recipe” which demonstrates hand-pulling techniques with great tips and detailed instructions.

For making Biang Biang Noodles, I use the traditional method which has a slight twist. Here is how exactly I do it (Please refer to the video in this post):

• Press the flattened dough piece in the middle lengthways using a rolling pin or a chopstick.
• Hold each end of the dough and pull gently until it stretches to your preferred thickness.
• Put the noodle on a surface. Break it apart from the middle line to make a loop.

Make a pungent dressing

Biang Biang noodles are also called You Po Che Mian (油泼扯面) which literally means “Oil pouring over hand-pulled noodles”. This name explains a particular method of seasoning “You Po”: place chilli flakes, chilli powder, ground Sichuan pepper, minced garlic and scallions on top of the cooked noodles, then pour hot oil over.

The heat immediately releases the full flavour of all the herbs and spices. I love it when the pungent fragrance suffuses my kitchen. Simply irresistible!