Easy Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles (Belt Noodles)

Learn how to make  Xi’an hand-pulled long, flat, and wide wheat noodles. They are easier to make than you think and so delicious when you toss them in this simple savory, spicy, tangy, umami sauce.

What is biang biang noodle?

The name biang biang comes from the sound that it makes when slapping the dough on the countertop while pulling the noodles long and wide. You will hear the “biang…biang” sound. This biang biang noodles are originated in the city of Xi’an. It’s been around for thousands of years. Because of the wide and flat shape, some call it the belt noodles, because it shapes like a belt. The noodles are thick and chewy and usually served in savory, spicy, tangy and umami sauce. Some may add a protein like minced meat, tofu, etc to make it a complete meal. Otherwise, it can be a perfect side dish too.

It’s easy but it takes time to make (passive time)

Just to set your expectation from the beginning 😉 This biang biang noodle is easy to make, BUT, it needs time. Most of the time is pretty much resting the dough, which is passive waiting time. The resting allows the dough to be stretched and pulled without breaking. So you cannot skip the resting part.

You only need 3 ingredients to make biang biang noodle

The noodle dough only needs 3 ingredients:
1. All-purpose flour
I use all-purpose flour with a gluten content of about 11.7%. I don’t recommend using bread flour as it will make the noodle difficult to pull due to the higher gluten content.
2. Salt
You just need a pinch of salt here. It provides flavor and also help to strengthen the gluten structure
3. Water
Room temperature water is used to prepare the dough

How to prepare the dough for biang biang noodles

You need very minimal kneading to prepare the dough and no machine is needed.
1. Combine all-purpose flour, salt, and water. Stir with a chopstick/spatula at first into crumbly dough and then knead with your hand just to form a rough dough

2. Cover and let the dough rest for 20 minutes. This is a short autolyse process. We hydrate the flour and let it rests to let the enzyme starts the gluten formation process. It’s magical really!

3. Go back to knead the dough for about 1-2 minutes by hand and you will see the dough transform into a smooth dough (thanks to the autolyse)

4. Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Fold the edge of each dough into center and then put it on counter top, seam side down with your palm on top and roll it into a round ball. Repeat with the rest

5. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for another 15 minutes. This is to relax the gluten (after all that rolling)

6. Roll the dough out into an oval shape, roughly about 6-7 inch in length. Then use a chopstick or a skewer to create an indentation in the middle. Repeat with the rest

7. Coat each dough with some oil and put on a plate. Cover and let them rest for 2 hours. It is important to let them rest this long

How to pull and shape biang biang noodles

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you start working on the dough
2. Work with one dough at a time. Hold the dough on each end and slowly pull it to about 10 inches or more and then slap the dough on the countertop several times as you continue to gently pull(you will hear the “biang biang” sounds, hence the name!). The slapping helps you to stretch the noodles

3. Then start from the middle and rip the noodle apart, following the indentation you made with the chopstick/skewers earlier. Now you have these belt-shaped noodles. Continue with the rest of the dough

How to cook biang biang noodles

1. When the water comes to a boil, add the pulled noodles and stir a bit to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 1 minute. Do not overcook them

2. Transfer the noodles to a large serving bowl. Do not rinse with water as we want the sauce to cling to the noodles

How to prepare the sauce

The tossing sauce is savory, spicy, tangy, and umami.
1. Combine the soy sauce, black vinegar, chili powder, sugar, minced garlic, chopped scallion, and salt in a heat-proof bowl

2. Heat about 3 Tablespoons of oil until it is really hot. Carefully pour this hot oil over into the bowl with all the ingredients you prepare earlier. This really brings out the flavor of the sauce

4. Pour this over the cooked biang biang noodles and toss to make sure the sauce coats the noodles evenly

This biang biang noodle are so delicious. I love the rustic look and the chewy noodles.

How to prepare the dough ahead

1. You can prepare the dough up to the part where we rest it for 2 hours. But instead of resting it for 2 hours, you let it rests in the fridge overnight
2. When you are ready to use the dough, let it comes to  room temperature before you pull the noodles, this may take 2-3 hours. You don’t want to pull the cold dough as it won’t be elastic

Did you make this Xi’an biang biang noodle recipe?

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