Longevity Noodles: the mouthwatering recipe for easy Chinese Yi Mein

Longevity noodles are a delicious Chinese dish that is popularly served at all sorts of celebratory events from Lunar New Year banquets to birthdays, weddings, and to celebrate the birth of a new baby. Also called yi mein or e-fu noodles, this delicious dish symbolizes long life, prosperity, and good fortune.

Longevity noodles have a slightly spongy texture and are usually stir-fried with mushrooms and chives and tossed in a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. It's easy to make this tasty recipe, and who knows, yi mein may help bring good luck and longevity to your life!

What are Longevity Noodles?

Longevity noodles also called yi mein or e-fu noodles, are a classic Chinese dish that is typically served for Lunar New Year or other celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. Eating long noodles is thought to bring good luck, success, and long life.

Typically, yi mein is served as the last dish during a banquet. The noodles are prepared in a relatively simple manner, often with mushrooms and Chinese chives.

Longevity Noodles Ingredients

E-fu noodles are made with staple Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, shiitake mushrooms, and sesame oil.

A pint of sugar helps balance out the salty, savoriness of the dish, while white pepper lends an earthy flavor.

Of course, you'll also need yi mein noodles, which are available for purchase at Asian supermarkets and online specialty stores. You'll find them labeled under the name yi mein, e-fu, or longevity noodles.

How to Make Longevity Noodles

Whether for the Chinese Lunar New Year or to satisfy a craving for a tasty noodle dish, it's incredibly easy to make yi mein at home. Start by cooking the noodles for 3 to 4 minutes in boiling water. Drain them and set them aside. Combine the sugar with 1 tablespoon of hot water and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Mix in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and pepper to combine.

Sauté the mushrooms and green parts of the chives for 30 seconds over high heat. Stir in the noodles, adding more oil if necessary, and cook them for 20 to 30 seconds, or until warmed through. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Mix in the remaining chives, and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes, or until noodles are heated through.

How to Eat Longevity Noodles

Eat your longevity noodles without breaking them into smaller bits. The whole noodle should be eaten – to break the noodles apart would symbolically shorten your lifespan. Don't cut or break the noodles.

Tips for the Best Long Life Noodles

To prevent your noodles from becoming soggy, cook them in small batches.

Don't overcook the noodles. Taste them as they're cooking to determine when to drain them.

Make your long live noodles vegetarian by using vegetarian oyster sauce instead of regular oyster sauce.

How to Store Longevity Noodles

Let the noodles cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the wok when you're ready to polish them off.

Instructions

Bring the water to a boil.

Add the noodles.

Cook the noodles for 3 to 4 minutes.

Drain the noodles and set them to the side.

Mix 1 tablespoon of hot water with sugar. Stir to dissolve. Whisk in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and pepper to combine.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok. Fry the mushrooms and green parts of the chives for 30 seconds. If necessary, add more oil.

Add in the noodles. Cook for 20 to 30 seconds, or until warmed through.

Pour the sauce over the noodles. Gently stir to combine, and cook for 1 minute.

Add in remaining chives.

Cook for another 1 to 3 minutes, or until noodles are heated through, and the chives turn bright green.

Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use low-sodium soy sauce if you're concerned about your salt intake.