How Noodles Are Eaten From Around The World

China - Zhajiangmian

Image Source/ 3jamigosZhajiangmian originated from Beijing and combines wheat noodles with soybean sauce and vegetables like summer radish and cucumber. The sauce is made by cooking ground pork or beef with soybean paste. A vegetarian option would be to swap the meat for tofu.

Germany - Spätzle

Image Source/ SaveurIt's widely thought that spätzle originated in Southwest Germany. However, the same kind of handmade noodles are popular in many countries around with world including Austria and Slovenia. Good as a side dish, these noodles are an accompaniment to cheese sauce and gravy.

Greece - Pastitsio

Image Source/ Without A PathOkay, maybe this one's a cheat. Despite not have the shape of normal noodles, this Greek delicacy is often compared to Italian lasagne. However, pastitsio is made using Mediterranean spices like cinnamon, close, nutmeg, and allspice. There's also the addition of goat cheese too.

Korea - Japchae

Image Source/ Straight up EatsWhat makes japchae different to the other entries on this list is the noodles it uses, which are dangmyeon noodles with sweet potato flour. Translucent and chewy noodles are put together with carrots, onions, mushrooms, scallions, and spinach, topped with beef or pork.

Malaysia - Laksa

Image Source/ Mustard with MuttonWhile it can be found in many different Southeast Asian countries, it's particularly popular throughout Malaysia. There's two very popular versions which include asam laksa, which is tamarind-based, and curry laksa. It's served as a hearty main course.

Philippines - Pancit bihon

Image Source/ Lutong Pinoy RecipeFound throughout various street food markets in the Philippines, pancit bihon is a well-known stir fry. Rice noodles, infused with soy sauce and lemon juice, are fried together with pork or chicken and a variety of crunchy vegetables. It's often served on special or festive occasions.

Hanai - Bún chả

Image Source/ Tasty Ever AfterBún chả is believed to have been invented in Hanoi. It comprises of rice noodles, grilled pork meatballs, and fresh greens including perilla leaves, lettuce, coriander, and morning glory. There's many variations around Vietnam but the classic Hanoi version is the authentic.

Hungary - Strapachka

Image Source/ TripAdvisorStrapachka, or nokedli, is quite similar to the German's spätzle. Given the close proximity of both countries, the similarities are hardly surprising, but the Hungarian noodles are best served with traditional Hungarian goulash or chicken paprikash.

Italy - Tagliatelle al ragu

Image Source/ TastemadeIt's no surprise that the iconic noodle dish from Italy comes in the form of thick-cut, spindling strips of pasta. Tagliatelle al ragù is described as the star of Bologna. Despite the fact that the meal is replicated differently all around the world, there's no more authentic tagliatelle al ragù than in Bologna.

India - Putu mayam

Image Source/ FlickrIf you find yourself in the street food markets of Nadu or Kerala in India, you must order putu mayam. Made with rice of idiyappam flour noodles, they're seasoned with desiccated coconut and sugar blocks. To make the noodles, a dough is pressed through a sieve and steamed in the same basket.

Indonesia - Mie Aceh

Image Source/ WikipediaThe spicy dish comes served with thick yellow noodles and vegetables including spring onions, garlic, bean sprouts, cabbage, and tomatoes. It can be topped with beef, lamb, or seafood and the dish is named after its place of origin: Aceh in Indonesia.

Thailand - Pad Thai

Image Source/ BBC Good FoodWhile Thailand has a rich food history, the invention of pad Thai was relatively recent. The meal is cooked by frying rice noodles with bean sprouts, peanuts, egg, and protein (which can be beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu). The flavours come from the seasonings of fish garlic, chili peppers, and palm sugar

USA - Cincinnati chili

Image Source/ AllrecipesIt was actually Macedonians that invented this dish using Italian noodles and Mediterranean spices while in Ohio. Since then, Cincinnati chili has become a widely-appreciated and enjoyed American dish. Essentially it is chili spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, piled on spaghetti, the meal is surprisingly delicious.

Vietnam - Phở

Image Source/ WikipediaWhile you might think there are similarities between Vietnam's phở and Japan's ramen, you'd be quite surprised at how different they are. Phở is made using flat, fettucine-like noodles, and the broths vary throughout regions of Vietnam. Phở is served with chicken or beef and can be eaten for breakfast or throughout the day.

China - Dan dan noodles

Image Source/ Michelin GuideIf you're not one for spice, this isn't for you. Dan dan Mian (made with dan dan noodles) is made using chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns. The meal consists of egg noodles mixed together in a spicy meat sauce. Some have gone as far as to describe the experience as mouth-numbing.

China - Lo mein

Image Source/ RecipeTin EatsChina has a lot of speciality noodle dishes, and Guangdongese lo mein or laomian is an umbrella term for a dish made with wheat and egg noodles boiled separately then tossed in a sauce with stir-fried vegetables and meats. It's a springy noodle with a firm bite.

China - Wonton noodles

Image Source/ WikipediaChewy egg noodles are put together in a broth with wonton dumplings in this Cantonese noodle dish. While the broth is flavoured with chicken, pork, or seafood, dumplings are usually filled with pork and shrimps, seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, and grated ginger.

Japan - Champon

Image Source/ Just One CookbookChampon is made by frying pork, seafood, and vegetables in lard, later adding a chicken-pork bone soup, boiling the noodles with it. The name of the dish comes from the Chinese province of Fujian, with the word shapon meaning to eat a meal.

Japan - Ramen

Image Source/ Look NoodlesPotentially the most famous noodles in the world are ramen noodles. Although the inspiration is steeped in Chinese history, it's only fair to credit Japan for what ramen has become today. With wheat noodles in broth, you can expect to find pork, seaweed, scallions, and an optional boiled egg in your ramen.

Japan - Tsukemen

Image Source/ WikipediaThis noodle dish is quite bizarre in that it is eaten by dipping cold noodles into a hot broth. Some dip the noodles into vinegar or spicy sauce before dipping into a soup or broth for extra flavour. It's a dish best eaten during summer given that it allows for a tasty ramen without the heat.

Japan - Udon

Image Source/ PinterestUdon noodles are thick and chewy and tend to be made using wheat flour. They can be simply served in a kake udon, which is a broth made from soy sauce, dashi, and mirin. During summer, the noodles can be served cold like other Japanese noodle dishes.

Japan - Yaki-udon

Image Source/ Recipe FairyThe yaki-udon dish was first invented in Fukuoka following a food shortage which saw soba noodles become rare and replaced by the udon family. Now, yaki-udon is a much-loved dish comprising of stir-fried udon noodles and vegetables topped with meat or seafood.

Philippines - Pancit canton

Image Source/ WikipediaThis Filipino dish has a Chinese origin. Pancit canton sees yellow wheat noodles combined with different meats, seafood, and an array of vegetables. The dish is flavoured with soy and oyster sauces too. There's many different variations of this classic dish around the Philippines.

Singapore - Char Kway Teow

Image Source/ Rasa SayangChar kway teow is a common staple among the breath-taking street food markets of Singapore. The classic version of the dish includes eggs, cockles, bean sprouts, chives, and Chinese sausage. Put together with yellow wheat noodles, all the ingredients are fried in soy sauce.

South Korea - Jjapaguri

Image Source/ MaangchiJjapaguri originated in South Korea and has coined a new nickname of ram-den, after Boong Joon-Ho's film 'Parasite'. The dish combines two different type of instant noodles which are chapagetti (ramen noodles) and neoguri (udon noodles). While a budget dish, it can be made more premium by adding proper beef.

Spain - Fideuà

Image Source/ WikipediaFideuà was originally eaten by poorer communities in Spain. Since then, the dish has been enriched with prawns, squid, and saffron. Preparation includes simmering golden noodles in a rich broth flavoured with fresh seafood. Optionally, garlic aioli can be added for good measure.

Taiwan - Niú ròu miàn

Image Source/ FlickrWhile Taiwan is famous for its meat dumplings, Niú ròu miàn shouldn't go amiss, which is Taiwan's answer to a beef noodle soup. Wheat noodles, savoury broth with fresh herbs and Sichuan spices, topped with braised Australian beef, what's there not to like?

Thailand - Khao soi

Image Source/ WikipediaFound more commonly in Northern Thailand is khao soi, a coconut soup. The dish took inspiration from a number of Thai regions which resulted in a perfect, adored national dish. The base of the dish is made with coconut milk and red curry paste, and the noodles are flat egg noodles.

Vietnam - Quang-style noodles

Image Source/ The Broad LifeThis Vietnamese staple combines two types of noodles together: flat rice noodles and yellow egg noodles. They're drowned into a small amount of meat broth and are topped with crispy vegetables and plenty of herbs (banana blossoms, lettuce, cilantro, scallions and coriander).

Vietnam - Bún riêu

Image Source/ WikipediaBún riêu is essentially a crab-based noodle soup. The Vietnamese dish is made in various ways throughout Vietnam, but the most well-known (and well-liked) uses a tomato base. However, the essential element that is always used is the crab paste and vermicelli noodles.