As one of the traditional Lunar New Year dishes, longevity noodles combine the best elements of ginger and mushrooms in one tasty treat that promises good fortune, wealth and long life if left intact! They are said to bring good fortune, wealth and longevity.

Cook the noodles or pasta until just shy of al dente, drain and rinse under cold water before tossing with one tablespoon of oil.

Ingredients

Longevity noodles, which symbolize long life and are easy to prepare in just 20 minutes, are an essential dish at every Chinese New Year feast. Simply stir-fried them with chicken, mushrooms and scallions in a light sauce for maximum longevity!

This recipe was taken from an F&W classic by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo, who passed away in 2022. F&W editors honored her recipe by designating it an F&W Classic; something which will stand the test of time.

Original Recipe (Oyster Mushroom and Bamboo Shoots) This delicious dish calls for fresh oyster mushrooms and bamboo shoots; however, frozen or canned mushrooms and bok choy can easily be substituted as ingredients in its entirety. Furthermore, its versatility is further demonstrated when considering meat choice: I like using boneless skinless chicken thighs but you could easily opt for pork or beef instead if that suits your fancy!

If you can’t find Yi Mein noodles, thick fresh Shanghai or extra-thick udon noodles make an excellent substitute. Just be careful not to overcook them or they will become soggy and lose their texture altogether.

Start by boiling noodles or pasta according to package instructions, drain and rinse in cold water before setting aside. In a large pot, bring broth to a boil with ginger and green onion before simmering until vegetables have tenderized but still retain some texture; season with salt at this point and set aside.

Once the noodles are cooked, drain and toss with one tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking together. Meanwhile, in another pan heat one teaspoon of vegetable oil and saute mushrooms and white parts of green onion until lightly browned; transfer into a bowl.

Heating two teaspoons of oil over high heat in a separate pan or wok until shimmering, add red pepper flakes and chicken, stir-frying until the latter starts to sear – approximately one minute. Remove from the wok and set aside in a bowl.

Swirl the remaining 1 Tbsp oil into your wok and add noodles, stirring continually for 15 seconds so as to prevent clumping. Next add chicken mixture, shiitake mushrooms, and scallions; continue stirring for 1 to 2 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through and noodles have become hot.

Preparation

Longevity noodles are a traditional Chinese New Year dish because they symbolize longevity. Alongside other dishes designed to bring good fortune such as dumplings, roasted pork, sesame chicken and stir-fried clams – longevity noodles are consumed both on New Year’s Day and birthdays to wish for long lives. In this easy recipe the noodles are quickly boiled for just one minute before draining before stir frying with chicken, ginger, mushrooms and sugar until everything combines harmoniously!

Fresh Chinese noodles are ideal for this dish and can often be found in the refrigerator section of most Asian food markets. If they can’t be found, use thickest udon noodles or extra thick spaghetti that has been boiled until al dente instead.

To prepare noodles, boil 3 quarts of water in a large pot or wok to precook them. Following package directions may call for 5 minutes of precooking time; we advise boiling no longer than three. Drain thoroughly after boiling and rinse several times under cold water to rid of as much moisture as possible before setting aside.

Combine chicken, 1 teaspoon of rice wine, cornstarch and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. In a wok over high heat, heat some oil before stir frying pepper flakes before adding chicken pieces and continuing stirring frying for another minute or so before transferring to a serving bowl.

Return the wok to the stove, and add one tablespoon of peanut oil. Stir in mushrooms, and saute until just soft – about one minute should do it – before transferring into a bowl with chicken.

Heat the wok once more, adding one tablespoon of peanut oil and then noodles. Stir-fry for 30 seconds before stirring in soy sauce/wine mixture. Finally, return chicken/vegetables/scallions back into wok and combine all together before seasoning with 3/4 teaspoon of salt before heating through.

To serve, combine noodles and sauce in a bowl before topping it off with slices of green onions for garnish. These dishes make an excellent side for Chinese New Year or any dinner celebration – plus they make for easy storage in the refrigerator until needed!

Cooking

Longevity noodles are an essential dish during Chinese New Year and birthday celebrations, often served at large banquets to symbolize longevity and good health. Unfortunately, due to being cooked in large batches they can sometimes turn soggy; but with this recipe from home they come out chewy and deliciously savory with mushrooms and Chinese garlic chives for an easy weeknight dinner everyone will love!

This recipe is extremely straightforward to create and can accommodate different types of noodles. To achieve best results, avoid overcooking during boiling stage; I like to boil mine for only 3 minutes before draining them. Furthermore, its sauce has an addictive umami taste which complements mushrooms’ meaty texture as well as providing additional depth of flavor while the light green parts of chives add color and zest!

Vegetarian options of this dish can include using egg-free noodles and switching out chicken broth with vegetable broth, while swapping out shiitake mushrooms for oyster mushrooms or any other variety that suits you. When stirring frying noodles and vegetables, I highly recommend sesame oil as its authentic flavor adds the most depth – however regular cooking oil works just as well!

This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for large parties or family reunions, making it the perfect dish to incorporate more vegetables into your diet and provide a hearty yet nutritious meal. Add chopped carrots, bell peppers or bok choy to this dish for even greater nutrition!

Serving

Longevity noodles have long been associated with Chinese New Year festivities and celebrate long life and happiness. They also remain a go-to item at birthdays and weddings. This recipe comes from late chef/author Eileen Yin-Fei Lo’s cookbook published in Food & Wine back in January 1999; by 2022 F&W editors had awarded it “F&W Classic status.”

Longevity noodles’ secret lies in its sauce: sherry and dark soy sauce combine for an irresistibly rich and satisfying flavor, while noodles are cooked separately with minimal oil to remain light and springy. Meanwhile, chicken is marinated in sherry, fresh ginger, cornstarch, and sherry before being stir-fried with your dish in an exciting wok.

Yi mein noodles, available at most Asian grocery stores and packaged in red boxes with instructions, should be used for this dish. Ubos or soba noodles work equally as well if Yi mein doesn’t meet your requirements; simply boil for 3 minutes before draining them off and setting them aside.

Mix chicken thighs in a large bowl with one teaspoon of the rice wine, cornstarch and 1/4 teaspoon of soy sauce for 10-15 minutes before marinating in another large bowl for 10-15 more. In a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat add remaining oil; when it begins to glisten add garlic and ginger for one more minute of stir frying before taking out of heat.

Add the shiitake mushrooms and saute for several minutes, before stirring in snow peas, choy sum, noodles and sauce; toss well to combine all of these components before tasting and adding additional soy sauce if necessary before garnishing with chives, bean sprouts and green onion slices before serving.

This simple noodle dish takes just 15 minutes to prepare, making it the ideal side for all sorts of meat and veggie combinations – from grilled meats to stir fry vegetables! Or add crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for extra crunch!