China is famous for its culinary traditions and one of the most iconic dishes is the Chinese noodle. With a long history dating back thousands of years, Chinese noodles have become a staple food in Chinese cuisine and have gained popularity worldwide. One type of Chinese noodle that stands out is the "China magic noodle". This unique noodle is renowned for its elasticity and chewiness, giving it a distinct texture that sets it apart from other types of noodles. The magic behind the China magic noodle lies in the technique used to make it. The dough is tightly stretched and folded repeatedly until it becomes elastic.
The dough is tightly stretched and folded repeatedly until it becomes elastic. This process significantly enhances the gluten content, resulting in noodles that are both stretchy and chewy. The China magic noodle comes in various shapes and sizes, ranging from thin strands to wide ribbons.
China Magic Noodle House in Chandler Hand-Pulls Its Noodles on the Spot
You have to see it to believe it. Quickly, but gracefully, the noodle maker's hands work a piece of dough into a thick loop, stretching and slinging and spinning it around, then pulling it apart to create finer and finer threads laced between his flour-dusted fingers. He's clad in a.
June 24, 2010 Share this: You have to see it to believe it.Quickly, but gracefully, the noodle maker's hands work a piece of dough into a thick loop, stretching and slinging and spinning it around, then pulling it apart to create finer and finer threads laced between his flour-dusted fingers. He's clad in a white cap and white apron, working behind a large glass window that gives a full view of the kitchen from the dining room. Customers at a nearby booth crane their necks to marvel at his precision and skill, and he smiles back with his eyes.
Every time an order comes in at China Magic Noodle House, chef Zhang Qiang grabs another piece of dough and begins again.
You'd never suspect that this modest Chinese restaurant, practically hidden around the corner from Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket, distinguishes itself with a such a unique dining experience, but that's what makes gems like this so fun to seek out.
Owner Bin Li, who came to the Valley from New York City and opened the spot a month and a half ago, offers a simple menu of hand-pulled, made-to-order noodles (la mian, considered by some to be the predecessor of Japanese ramen, at least linguistically) in the style of the Lanzhou region of northwestern China. There are also some Hong Kong-style appetizers, fried rice, and fruit smoothies filled with chewy boba (which are practically a meal unto themselves).
Here, you can choose from five kinds of noodles: Thin, thick, wide, shaved (thin slices carved off a block of dough with a sharp knife), and vegetable. While they all taste like, well, noodles, and are much more tender than the dried versions, you may find you favor certain ones, depending on the dish. For example, I loved the way the wide noodles tasted when pan-fried, while I preferred the thin variety in slurp-worthy soup.
Dinner started off with some interesting freebie appetizers. Throughout the meal, I found myself nibbling on a bowl of chilled, marinated peanuts, which lost their brittle crunch and were more toothsome, like beans. Meanwhile, tangy shreds of pickled carrot and daikon got my mouth watering, cleansed my palate between dishes, and were particularly delicious with bites of spicy marinated pig ear.
Never had pig ear? At China Magic, it's sliced so thinly it's practically translucent, and it crunches when you chew it. Dressed in potent red chile oil, it had a mildly porky flavor. I couldn't eat a lot of it, because it was so rich, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Pan-fried dumplings, filled with ginger-flecked pork, were plump and enormous, served with salty soy dip, while golden, crispy egg rolls tasted just fine without accompaniment. One night's special — a heap of glossy, dark emerald Chinese greens dressed in oyster sauce — was actually the perfect vegetable component in an otherwise meat- and starch-heavy meal. I'd like to see them added to the regular menu.
Fried noodles wowed me the most, especially the version with tender slices of beef, flecks of red chile and a few whole chiles, scallions, carrot, onion, and mung bean sprouts tossed with spicy XO sauce (a Cantonese specialty that's actually made from seafood). The steam rising off the plate smelled enticing. Likewise, I ate too much of the chicken fried noodles, which were kissed with sesame oil and mixed with sprouts, carrot, green onion, and white cabbage.
Another hit was lamb noodle soup, whose flavorful broth was as noteworthy as the noodles. Pickled greens, some spinach, and sprigs of fresh cilantro were a welcome contrast to the salty, slightly gamey soup and chunks of tender pink meat on the bone.
A more summer-appropriate option was a pile of warm noodles dressed in a light lemon sauce, teamed with chilled slices of garlicky beef and topped with cilantro. It looked very simple, but the tangy, aromatic sauce had me hooked after one bite.
And last, but not least, I gobbled up the most endearingly named thing on the menu, "shrimps and corns with noodles in curry sauce." Thin strands of noodle were generously soaked in mild yellow curry sauce, studded with sweet kernels and topped with a few whole shrimp. While other dishes had a clean taste, this one was more decadent, thanks to the creamy sauce.
Tapioca-filled smoothies are the only sweets you'll find here, but I suspect that won't be a disappointment.
China Magic is all about the noodles, and it easily lives up to its name.
Keep FreeKEEP NEW TIMES FREE. Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1.
Dinner started off with some interesting freebie appetizers. Throughout the meal, I found myself nibbling on a bowl of chilled, marinated peanuts, which lost their brittle crunch and were more toothsome, like beans. Meanwhile, tangy shreds of pickled carrot and daikon got my mouth watering, cleansed my palate between dishes, and were particularly delicious with bites of spicy marinated pig ear.
It can be found in soups, stir-fries, and other noodle-based dishes. One popular dish that features this noodle is "Dandan noodles", a spicy noodle dish that originated from Sichuan province. Apart from its unique texture, the China magic noodle is also known for its ability to absorb flavors. Due to its dense structure, it can soak up the sauce or broth it is cooked in, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish. This makes it a favorite among many Chinese food enthusiasts. In recent years, the China magic noodle has gained international recognition and can now be found in various countries around the world. Its popularity can be attributed to the growing interest in Chinese cuisine and the desire for authentic flavors and experiences. Whether you're a fan of Chinese food or simply love noodles, the China magic noodle is definitely worth a try. Its distinctive texture and ability to absorb flavors make it a truly magical addition to any meal. So, the next time you come across this remarkable noodle, be sure to give it a taste and experience the magic for yourself..
Reviews for "Chinese magic noodles: The key ingredient in authentic Chinese dishes"
- Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Chjna magic noodle. The noodles had a strange texture and taste that I couldn't get past. The sauce was also very bland and didn't add any flavor to the dish. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this product.
- Jake - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for the Chjna magic noodle, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The noodles were too soft and mushy, and the flavor of the sauce was quite artificial. I also found the portion size to be small for the price. I won't be purchasing this again.
- Sarah - 3 out of 5 stars - The Chjna magic noodle was just alright in my opinion. The noodles were decent, but nothing special. The sauce lacked depth of flavor and was a bit too sweet for my taste. It was edible, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again.