Chongqing xiao mian
Chóngqìng xiǎo miàn (重庆小面): the city's breakfast noodles in a chilli-oil and Sichuan-pepper bowl
Chongqing wakes up to these: thin wheat noodles in a small bowl of red, numbing sauce, eaten standing up at street stalls before work. The noodles are plain; everything happens in the bowl, where chilli oil, Sichuan pepper, garlic water, preserved mustard greens and crushed peanuts are stacked up before the noodles go in. The vegetable version on this page is how most locals order it day to day. Chef's tip: some bought chilli oils are made with beef fat, so check the label or use your own vegetable-oil chilli oil.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For each pair of bowls
For the noodles
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put a large pan of water on to boil. While it heats, divide 4 tbsp chilli oil with plenty of sediment, ½ tsp ground Sichuan pepper, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tsp Chinkiang black vinegar, 2 tsp Chinese sesame paste or tahini, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp fresh ginger and 2 tbsp Yibin preserved mustard greens (yá cài) between two deep bowls.
Step 2: Pour half the hot 1 cup hot vegetable stock or noodle water into each bowl and stir until the sesame paste dissolves and the sauce is loose and red. Common mistake: skipping the stock, which leaves a thick, salty paste that clings in clumps.
Step 3: Boil 9 oz fresh thin wheat noodles (alkaline if possible) for the time on the packet, usually 2–3 minutes, stirring once so they don't stick. They're ready when a strand bends without a chalky core.
3 minStep 4: Drop 5 ½ oz pak choi or water spinach into the same water for the last 30 seconds, until bright green and just wilted.
Step 5: Lift the noodles straight into the bowls with tongs, letting a little water drip in with them. Lay the greens on top and scatter with 3 tbsp roasted peanuts and 2 spring onions. Mix thoroughly from the bottom before eating.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 68 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chongqing xiao mian take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of light soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
- What can I use instead of chinkiang black vinegar?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
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