Knife-cut noodles (Dao xiao mian)

Dao xiao mian are traditional Chinese noodles originating from the province of Shanxi. In order to prepare the noodles, a large block of hearty wheat dough is held downwards and shaved with a sharp knife directly into a pot of boiling water. As a result, the noodles are thick near the center, but soft around the edges.

These noodles are usually coated with rich meat sauces or enjoyed in stir-fries and broths in order to accentuate their starchy and elastic texture. It is believed that the first knife-cut noodles were made at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).

The technique of cutting the noodles with a knife takes years to perfect, along with a sharp knife and a very skilled chef.