8 Easy and delicious longevity asian noodles recipes to bring you long life during Chinese New Year (CNY)
With Chinese New Year fast approaching, you might be stressing over what to cook. (If so, here's an easy CNY menu that 1 person can prepare all by his- or herself! Also, if you have vegan family members or guests, here are 23 vegan CNY recipes for an inclusive-menu!) There are the Chinese New Year cookies to bake, the snacks to prepare, new clothes to buy, cleaning of the house... To make things easier, I've collected 8 Longevity Asian Noodles recipes (and over 70 general CNY recipes) for you!
Note: these noodles are stir-fried, but if you prefer soupy ones, try this easy vegan Asian noodle soup recipe that's done in 20 minutes without using a stock cube!
Chinese New Year traditional beliefs
If you've hung out with any Chinese person or eaten at a Chinese restaurant, you probably won't be surprised to hear that Chinese people can be pretty superstitious. (I have a friend who only enters her hotel room after knocking- this is a common Chinese practice to politely inform any spiritual residents inside of your arrival so as not to offend them!)
This quirk comes to the fore during Chinese New Year, which is rife with symbolism. For example, the period before Chinese New Year is marked by a frenzy of cleaning, as nothing should be thrown out during the 15 days of the lunar new year. If not, you'll be throwing all your (good) luck for the upcoming year away! And- appreciated by many kids- we always wear new clothes (at least on the 1st day) so that the next year will be 1 in which we can buy lots of new garments!
Long Noodles = Long Life
Superstitions reigns at the Chinese New Year table as well: we eat dumplings because they look like gold ingots, nuts because the word (in Chinese) sounds like fertility and sweets to usher in a smooth and sweet year. For more luck, try these 12 auspicious golden dishes to bring you $$$ in 2022!
Likewise, there's always a plate of noodles on the CNY table because it symbolises long life: just make sure to NEVER CUT THE NOODLES. If not, you'll be cutting your lifespan short! The longer the noodle, the longer your life will be! (Longevity noodles are also eaten on one's birthday.) (Also note the number of recipes- 8- considered a lucky number in Chinese because it is a homonym for getting rich!)
In Singapore, you can eat mee siam stir-fried (dry) or with gravy (mee siam kuah):
Which of these Asian longevity noodles is your favourite? Before you go, here are some other CNY recipes that may interest you!
brittany says
Many of these recipes look absolutely amazing can't wait for the opportunity to try them!
Zen says
Thank you Brittany, that's so kind of you to say so!