When lockdown began, many of us were bulk buying spaghetti and making huge quantities of Bolognese. Now we've settled into the rhythm of cooking at home all the time (and realised panic buying is never a good idea), it's easy to grow bored of the same spaghetti dishes, meaning it's time to look for alternatives.
7 noodle dishes from around the world to make at home
Pinterest's May report shows an increased obsession with all kinds of noodles, with searches for 'homemade fettuccine noodles' up 471% – not to mention dishes further afield. Chinese biang biang noodles has seen a 113% surge in searches, with 'noodle kugel recipe' up 284%.
For many, now is an ideal time to experiment in the kitchen, and what better way to do so than travelling the world via a flavour-packed noodle dinner? Here are some of the best options from all over the world to try…
This is a traditional dish from Hawaii. At its core are egg noodles in a dashi broth (a type of flavoursome Japanese clear stock), spring onions, and a variety of toppings. These range from Spam and beef skewers to dumplings or nori (dry seaweed). It's so popular in Hawaii, it's actually on the McDonald's menu there.
The best bit about Chinese biang biang noodles is undoubtedly the chewy wheat noodles. Usually made by hand, the onomatopoeic name actually comes from the sound the dough makes against the table when slapped onto it. They are long, flat and luxurious, and served with a spicy sauce.
Interestingly, kugel is baked in the oven. It's a traditional Jewish dish, and everyone has a different take on their perfect version of the recipe.
Kugel involves baked egg noodles in a creamy, dairy-based, sweet sauce. It might sound like a dessert, but it's served as part of the main course, eaten hot or cold. There are countless variations of kugel – it could have raisins in it, or even be topped with cornflakes.
If you love pad Thai and want to try something a bit different, go for another Thai classic: pad see ew. Similar to a pad Thai but sweeter in taste, it uses flat rice noodles. These are stir fried with Chinese broccoli, eggs, some kind of thinly sliced meat or seafood, lots of soy sauce and a touch of sugar.
For something seriously warming, look no further than a Malaysian laksa. This spicy, coconutty noodle soup basically ticks all the boxes. Wheat or rice noodles are drenched in a curried soup with a coconut base, along with bean sprouts, a hardboiled egg, and fish, prawns, tofu or chicken.
As the weather gets warmer, you might not want a big plate of warm noodles – which is where bibim guksu comes in. This cold dish is popular in Korea, and is spicy thanks to the gochujang in the sauce – a red chilli paste made with fermented bean curd.
Bibim guksu has a sweet and sour taste due to the addition of vinegar and sugar, and is often made with beef, pickled cucumbers and mushrooms, topped off with sesame seeds and a hard boiled egg.
This largely Persian soup dish promises a big bowl of goodness. Admittedly, it's pretty hearty so is better suited to winter-time, but is still good comfort food if you're in need.
At its base are thin noodles and kashk (which is like a drained yoghurt, or sour cream). The vegetarian soup is packed full of wholesome ingredients, including spinach, lentils, chickpeas, beans, coriander and more. It's often eaten leading up to Nowruz, Persian New Year.