This chapter explores the art of making noodles, focusing on the traditional methods of hand-pulled noodles in Northern China. It details the skill and effort involved, comparing it to a form of athletic performance.
Northern Chinese noodle making emphasizes hand-pulled noodles ("la mian"), a skill-intensive process.
The process involves repeatedly stretching and folding dough, resulting in long, thin noodles.
The skill lies in achieving the right texture—firm yet chewy—and creating noodles of consistent thickness.