Anhui Banmian
Anhui Banmian is a traditional and hearty Chinese noodle dish that combines wide, chewy hand – pulled noodles with a rich, flavorful meat sauce. The noodles are cooked to perfection, and the sauce, made with tender pork and a blend of spices, provides a savory and slightly spicy kick. Topped with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of chili oil, this dish is a true comfort food that offers a harmonious balance of textures and tastes, allowing you to savor the essence of Anhui cuisine right at home.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Kitchen scale
- Rolling pin
- Large pot for boiling water
- Colander
- Small saucepan for sauce
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- For the Noodles
- 3 cups all – purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the Meat Sauce
- 1/2 pound 225g ground pork
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 tablespoons sweet bean paste
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five – spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 – 3 dried chili peppers optional, for extra spiciness
- For Toppings
- 1/4 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- Fresh cilantro chopped
- Chili oil to taste
Instructions
- Make the Noodle Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all – purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the warm water while stirring with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 – 15 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball, place it back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and saut̩ for 2 Р3 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground pork to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the pork is no longer pink, about 5 – 7 minutes.
- Stir in the sweet bean paste, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Chinese five – spice powder, white pepper, and sugar. Mix well to coat the pork evenly. Pour in 1 cup of water and add the dried chili peppers if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Roll and Stretch the Noodles: Uncover the rested dough and divide it into small pieces. Take one piece and roll it into a long, thin rope using your hands. Hold the two ends of the rope and gently stretch it, slapping it against the countertop to make it longer and thinner. Fold the rope in half and repeat the stretching process several times until you get wide, flat noodles. You can also use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a thin sheet and then cut it into wide strips.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the prepared noodles to the boiling water and cook for 3 – 5 minutes until they are al dente. Use a colander to drain the cooked noodles.
- Assemble the Dish: Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot meat sauce over the noodles. Top with shredded cabbage, sliced scallions, and chopped cilantro. Drizzle chili oil over the top according to your taste preference.
Notes
If the dough is too sticky during the kneading or stretching process, add a little more flour. But be careful not to add too much, as it may make the noodles tough.
You can substitute ground pork with ground beef or a combination of different meats for variety.
Adjust the amount of dried chili peppers and chili oil according to your tolerance for spiciness.
Freshly made noodles taste the best, but if you’re short on time, you can use store – bought wide noodles as a substitute.
You can substitute ground pork with ground beef or a combination of different meats for variety.
Adjust the amount of dried chili peppers and chili oil according to your tolerance for spiciness.
Freshly made noodles taste the best, but if you’re short on time, you can use store – bought wide noodles as a substitute.
