Maoerduo
Maoerduo (Cat Ear Noodles) are a whimsical Shanxi pasta shape — small, thumb-sized dough pieces pinched to resemble a cat's ear. They have a wonderful chewy texture with ridges that hold sauce beautifully. They can be served in soup or stir-fried with vegetables and meat.
Ingredients
- Flour 300 g
- Tomato 2 pcs
- Cooking oil to taste
- Salt to taste
- Soy sauce 1 tbsp
- Scallions, ginger and garlic to taste
- Cooking wine 1 tbsp
Instructions
- 1. Soak the flour in warm water until soft (about 20 minutes), drain and set aside.
- 2. Boil water in a large pot, add noodles and cook until appropriate softness and hardness, take out
- 3. Prepare the sauce: mix the ingredients and stir well
- 4. Blanch tomatoes, onions, ginger and garlic and set aside
- 5. Pour the noodles into a bowl, pour the sauce over it, add the garnishes and mix well.
Cultural Notes
Maoerduo showcases the playful creativity of Shanxi's noodle culture. While most Chinese pasta shapes are simple, the cat-ear shape is distinctive to Shanxi. The ridges created by the pinching technique catch and hold sauces, making every bite flavorful. It is a popular dish in Shanxi homes, especially during winter when a warm bowl of cat-ear noodle soup is particularly comforting.