Mee Noodles or Miàn

What Are Mee Noodles?

Mee noodles, called in Mandarin, are different kinds of Chinese wheat noodles. They usually consist of wheat flour, water, soda and sometimes eggs. Soda gives the noodles their slightly elastic texture and the yellowish color you know from many Asian wheat noodles.

Mee noodles are used in noodle soups or stir-fried noodle dishes. Over time, they spread throughout Asia. In Thailand, these noodles are called “Ba Mee” ( ). In Indonesia, they are usually called “Mie” or “Mi”.

Fresh Mee Noodles

Fresh mee noodles are rather rare here. When Asian supermarkets sell them, they are usually chilled and vacuum-packed. Before using them, it is often enough to loosen them briefly with hot water so they do not break or stick together.

Dried Mee Noodles

Dried mee noodles are usually made industrially today. They come in different shapes and sizes, with a round cross-section or as flat ribbon noodles.

You can find different mee noodles in almost every Asian supermarket and now also in many regular supermarkets.

Usage

Instant Mee Noodles

Like their Japanese equivalent, ramen noodles, mee noodles are also sold precooked as instant noodles, often together with an instant broth.