Biang-Biang Noodles from Xi'an Famous Foods (process slightly altered)

Step 1

Set a bowl over a scale. Add the flour, water, and salt. Mix the dough with your hands until a ball is formed. The dough will be fairly stiff and tough, knead for about 5 minutes in the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.

Step 2

The dough should feel much more elastic and supple after resting. Once rested, knead the dough for another 3 to 5 minutes then rest for 5 more minutes.

Step 3

Using a rolling pin and your hands work the dough into a rectangle about 6" by 12" (15 cm by 30 cm). Cut the dough into six (100 g) pieces, making them each about 2" (5 cm) wide.

Step 4

Brush the noodle pieces with a neutral oil. Add a drizzle to a container and stack noodles slightly overlapping like leaning books, not right on top of each other. Cover the container and let rest for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.

Step 5

Remove the pieces of the noodle dough from the fridge to warm up. Flatten them a bit with your hands. Bring a large pot of water to boil.

Step 6

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough piece about double the current width and 1 inch longer. Using a chopstick or back of a knife, gently imprint the center of the noodle to give it a 'perforated' ripping point.

Step 7

Grab the ends of the rectangle with your thumbs and forefingers and pull the dough gently, stretching until about shoulder length.

Step 8

Now the fun part. While still slightly pulling, bounce the noodle flat against the counter in an up and down motion until the dough is about 4 feet (1.25 m) long. This takes a little practice. Do not grip too tight or pull too quickly or the noodle will break. If it does, just pull the thick part where it broke.

Step 9

When the noodle is 4 ft, pick it up at the middle and rip it down the line. Pull until you reach the bottom, but don't pull all the way through, leaving you with a large noodle ring.

Step 10

Place the noodle in the boil water, boil until it starts to float, about 2 minutes total.

Step 11

Serve with sauces, vegetables, or any number of ways.