These are noodles made from wheat flour, water and salt. We call it "mee suah" or "mian xian". In this dry form, it's very brittle and break easily from handling because the noodles are super thin. Only about 1mm across. They cook faster than instant noodles. I usually fish them out of the pot after 30 seconds. I love mee suah in soup!
Once cooked, you can slurp them up easily because they are smooth and silky. You barely need to chew them. Mee suah is cooked for special occasions such as birthdays. But it's also comfort food for people who are ill because they are so easy to cook, eat and digest.
Mee suah is less common than (and not to be confused with) rice vermicelli or cellophane noodles. Are we bored to tears yet? 8D~
Never bored with food or with anything you post (so far, haha!). Are they mainly eaten in soup or can you have them by themselves or in a stir fry or salad?
Most definitely NOT bored. What kind of broth are these usually cooked in, Livia. (chicken?) Whatever is used . . I really want some. I'm a big soup eater and this could easily be on my favorite list. Beautiful photo.
@meisen325 This is mainly cooked and eaten in soup. Cellophane noodles are a better choice for salads.
@luvs2scuba2 The red string is not edible. It's very thin and fragile, so it's easily removed before cooking. This is how mee suah is typically packed in a box.
@karenann Usually chicken broth, but anything soupy goes. If only you lived next door, I'd cook some for you!
@heidievans73 Sure, I'm fine with it! I've been called all sorts of names. Heh. Including Liver. (It was a telephone conversation that went all over the place. I was trying to tell the person at the other end my name. "It's Livia." "Lydia?" "No, Livia." "Olivia?" "Livia." "Liver?" At which point I didn't know whether to laugh or to weep. 8D )
I'm never bored with food talk, Livia (or should that be Liver? Sorry, couldn't resist!). Why are cellophane noodles better in salad?
Fabulous photo, anyway. Love the lines, and the lighting, and as someone else said, the tiny splash of colour from the bands just sets them off!
@myautofocuslife Oh, btw...I'm making an official request for a selfie, please....so I can put a face with your name :D Don't make me revolt...I don't like doing it o.O lol
@heidievans73 Ooh, Heidi. I'm sorry, I have to say, selfies are not going to happen on my project. (My middle-aged hand may make an appearance because Accessories is the theme this week for Me Every Week and I was thinking I should wear one of my favorite rings. 8D)
I have a massive hang-up about having my photo taken.
Seriously. My family and close friends no longer ask me to pose for a snapshot because they know I'd refuse. I like being behind the camera; I can't stand being in front of it. Even when I travel to other countries, I would photograph all sorts of things from mountains and rivers to pebbles and weeds, but I won't have my own photograph taken. So the only evidence that I have, of having traveled anywhere, are the immigration stamps in my passport! Crazy, I know. I'm sorry for the long story but I feel I need to explain myself. So... yeah. No selfie.
You have such a talent for taking a household item and making it magical; this is not boring at all! This is so pretty, like your coffee grannules were. So interesting:0)
Not bored! Excellent composition, as usual. Now I want to try them! I'll have a look next time I go to the Chinese supermaket. I know about the "normal" noodles but not this thin version.
NEVER boring! Very interesting info and the photo could be a food magazine cover. I wonder where I can get some of those noodles...are you going to give us a recipe to follow? Wonderful! PS Love all the chatter with your name game, etc. SO fun - thank you!
OK, those look fantastic. I am a HUGE fan of noodles. The photo is wonderful too. The focus is great and the lighting is perfect. Do you use a light box?
Mee suah soup is one of my faves. I just sautee garlic, onion, ground lean pork (or shrimp or chicken), patola (angled gourd/luffa) then add water, mee suah and just pinch of salt because mee suah in itself is a bit salty compared to other noodles. Hhmmm ... I'm craving. Anyways, I agree with @e.gad -- as always, perfect focus and lighting, Livia!
Love a good food picture! These remind me a bit of somen noodles. I lived in Hawaii for years and fell in love with all types of Asian foods. Sure do miss all that yumminess.
A big "THANK YOU!" to everyone for visiting and leaving a comment! I truly appreciate the encouragement. Mee suah is delicious. I hope you all get the chance to try it sometime. Again, thank you so much!
@john01756 The noodles are common in Chinese cuisine and is eaten in many Southeast Asian countries as well as China. I usually cook them in chicken broth with shredded chicken or minced pork, and a generous helping of green leafy vegetables such as xiao bai cai. Actually, just writing this is making me hungry! 8D
heck, definitely not bored. i used to hate miswah when i was growing up. when we didn't have money you can bet your money that would be our supper. my mother would saute dried shrimp (too small you cannot see them most of the time hahaha!) with onions and rice water then put miswah. but i miss it now and was disappointed i didn't get to have any when i went to visit last november. the noodles in your picture look sturdy which is quite deceiving. great macro.
Luv the tone & Love the pattern :) A very Good Click.
@luvs2scuba2 The red string is not edible. It's very thin and fragile, so it's easily removed before cooking. This is how mee suah is typically packed in a box.
@karenann Usually chicken broth, but anything soupy goes. If only you lived next door, I'd cook some for you!
Fabulous photo, anyway. Love the lines, and the lighting, and as someone else said, the tiny splash of colour from the bands just sets them off!
I have a massive hang-up about having my photo taken.
Seriously. My family and close friends no longer ask me to pose for a snapshot because they know I'd refuse. I like being behind the camera; I can't stand being in front of it. Even when I travel to other countries, I would photograph all sorts of things from mountains and rivers to pebbles and weeds, but I won't have my own photograph taken. So the only evidence that I have, of having traveled anywhere, are the immigration stamps in my passport! Crazy, I know. I'm sorry for the long story but I feel I need to explain myself. So... yeah. No selfie.
i have never eaten these before, but I am sure they are very tasty.
@john01756 The noodles are common in Chinese cuisine and is eaten in many Southeast Asian countries as well as China. I usually cook them in chicken broth with shredded chicken or minced pork, and a generous helping of green leafy vegetables such as xiao bai cai. Actually, just writing this is making me hungry! 8D