For many people the noodle is not only a source of nutrients, it “plays many roles… people use special food to celebrate important events and festivals” (Zhang & Guansheng, 2016). Mentioned in the Journal of Ethnic Foods reading are specific examples of the use of food outside of eating, such as the longevity noodle eaten at birthdays to signify a long life or eating noodles with gravy when moving into a new home to signify a flavored life. For many cultures there is significant meaning tied through noodles, but in particular Chinese culture seems to heavily depend on food for expression and significance. Much like Dr. Li mentioned in one of lectures that in Chinese culture being very open and upfront about emotions is not very common, love and affection for another person can be typically shown through the preparation, serving, and consumption of food.
For the Italians the noodle has a different but similar history and use. As mentioned in the History of Pasta reading, the noodle has existed in Italy for hundreds of years and it has been carried around the world wherever Italians migrated. Also mentioned in the reading is the use of fresh pasta in Italian culture signifies care and pride in the preparation of the pasta. Similar to Chinese customs of showing care and pride through food. Italians are also firm believers of the use of fresh and simple ingredients in their pasta dishes to preserve the authenticity of the dish. There is also a great deal of versatility in Italian pasta, with many different shapes and sizes such as Angel Hair/Capelli d’angelo or Farfalle (Butterfly) being mentioned in the An Intro to Italian Pasta reading. Italian noodle dishes are influenced from the region they come from such as Sicilian pasta including “many middle eastern ingredients, such as raisins and cinnamon” which has persisted from the time of Arabic invasions in Italy (Demetri, 2018).
The noodle has become a staple food in both Italian and Chinese culture because of the convince and meaning that they then grew to carry. Early noodles are traditionally made from wheat dough which is a leading crop in both China and Italy. Additionally, the noodle grew to signify different things for both the Chinese and Italians. Italians took great pride in the simplicity and freshness of preparing pasta noodles. While, in Chinese culture noodles can signify other things such as a long life. In both Italian and Chinese culture, the noodle is thought of as a healthy meal that provides many nutrients, particularly when paired with healthy sides. The noodle can be thought of as a healthy foundation for a complete meal.
After reading the story of the noodle, I have also come to understand that the noodle means more than a tasty filling meal. In the Crossing the Bridge noodle story, a young boy was banished to study with no distractions in a cottage until he was ready to pass his exams. The family chef was determined to feed him a meal that would bring comfort to the boy during his time in the cottage. The chef prepared many meals, however, they would all return untouched. The chef’s final meal was a noodle dish that he had prepared for the boy at a time of great illness. This dish of noodles was sent over and consumed by the boy. Highlighting that they were not considered a distraction to the boy’s studies but actually aided his study process. Furthermore, the story emphasized that the dish kept away the bad spirits and provide the nourishment necessary for the boy to pass his exams. This is the context that I have begun to think and define the noodle in. Noodles are a versatile nourishing meal made of dough, typically made to share and experience with others or to bring comfort to a loved one. The noodle has transcended cultural, linguistic, and international boundaries through its expression of care and love when prepared, served and consumed.
In order to understand the significance of the noodle, one must unravel the history of both China and Italy. For each of these countries, the noodle is much more than a prepared starch to satisfy hunger. The noodle is a two-syllable word that encompasses thousands of dishes. These dishes remind Italians and Chinese of their history simultaneously bringing them joy, luck, income, friendship, and more. When presented with noodles in either China or Italy the possibilities are endless. How you decide to eat your noodles, who you share your noodles with, and what special gift your noodles will grace you with after that meal. The noodle is love, the noodle is wealth, the noodle is happiness, the noodle is health; the noodle brings prosperity to the lives of those who consume it. Prosperity is representative of flourishing in all aspects of life. This idea of a prosperous life is the true significance of the noodle in both China and Italy.
While the noodle enlightens both the Chinese and Italians, living a prosperous life holds a different meaning for each country. For the Chinese, the noodle signifies living a life filled with love and health. Love, or 爱 (ài) in Chinese, is a simple word with such overbearing significance to humans. To the Chinese, the best way to express your love for another is with the gift of food; the noodle. In Terry Durack’s, “Noodle”, his chapter “Crossing the Bridge” tells of a brief exchange of affection shared between a boy and his family’s chef. The chef loves the boy as his own son and what better way to express this affection than through a piping hot bowl of his notorious noodle soup. The story writes that the boy, unable to pass his exams, is sent to a cottage over the bridge during the coldest time of year. The chef, who adores the boy as his own, would trek to bring him food every day, however, the winds would chill the food before it reached the young boy. Through 爱 (ài), the chef found a way to deliver the soup, scorching hot, to the boy by disassembled the components and putting them together upon arriving at the wind-chilled cottage. The chef explains, “It is the fat that keeps out the wind, the cold, and the bad spirits. Now that you have the nourishment you need, learning will come naturally and gracefully” (Turack). Not once did the chef say the words ‘I love you’ aloud, rather, he displayed his care and affection for the boy through his noodles and the nourishment, power, and success that they brought the boy. In addition to this, noodles represent health for the Chinese. Health can often be intertwined with love as oftentimes those who love us are those who care for us. Each noodle dish in China contains its own meaning and tells its own story. The article “Noodles traditionally and today” tells of a noodle dish which restores health in those we love. “Seafood noodles (三鲜伊面) are also called dutiful son’s noodle (孝子面). According to historical records, Yi Yin’s (伊尹) mother was perennially sick and bedridden. So he made noodles with eggs and flour, and then steamed and fried these noodles. Even if he was not at home it was convenient for his mother to eat these nonperishable noodles. The noodles were added to a soup made with chicken, pig bones, and seafood. Under the tender care of Yi Yin, his mother soon recovered. This was the reason why seafood noodles are also called dutiful son’s noodles” (Zhang & Ma). Whether it was the noodles mixed with eccentric seafood or the love passed through the hands of the dutiful son into his noodles that healed the mother, this story displays the true value of the noodle to the Chinese. Regardless of the presentation of the noodle, there is no doubt that this stretched out wheat holds immense love and care for the Chinese. The noodle leads the Chinese to a prosperous life, one of good health and loving family members.
Noodles also signify a prosperous life for Italians, but in a slightly different way than the Chinese. Living a prosperous life for an Italian is being surrounded by family, friends, and the ability to let their creativity flow into their homemade pasta. While the Chinese are creative in terms of the spices and garnishes that engorge their noodles, the Italians spread their creativity through the shapes of the pasta. The grandmothers, or Nonne, instill their ideas into a slab of dough, bringing a to life coils, bowties, butterflies, and more. Each noodle, with its varying shape, pairs with particular sauces, grabbing onto their flavor bringing to the table family, friends, and most importantly happiness. The book, “Form and substance (discussion around a plate of pasta)” perfectly describes the significance of the creativity that brings the Italian noodle to life. The author writes, “And yet experience teaches us that different shapes of pasta, although alike in substance, produce different effects on the taste buds.” “ If we season pasta with nothing but butter and parmesean (the “classic” sauce for any pasta from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century) and taste it, a forkful of spaghetti will not have the same flavor as a forkful of macaroni or of gnocchi. Chewing a strand of thin spaghetti will not be like chewing a thick one, and smooth macaroni will not have the same taste as ribbed macaroni. Form leads to a different flavor.” “There is no form without substance, and no substance without form.” (Montanari). Each noodle reflects upon the creativity of the chef who personally presses into the dough. In addition to this, the varying shapes of the noodles reflect upon the culture and history of different families residing in different cities in Italy. For instance, rotini reflects the name of the pasta, a coiled screw. The purpose of the screw is to grab onto various sauces in order to enhance the dish. This pasta is both pleasing to the eye and the stomach. The Italians are able to instill their creativity into beautiful dishes but also efficient noodle dishes. Overall, the noodle signifies the creativity of each individual Italian chef. Creativity in food heightens the experience of eating a meal. This factor is what gathers friends and family, a beautiful dish of noodles.
The noodle plays such an integral role in food culture of each country because it has, for centuries, been the center of all life. For each country, the noodle maintains the largest presence on the pyramid of health making it a staple food. Not only does it taste good, but it also has crucial health benefits in the eyes of the Chinese and Italians. Both countries rely on noodle in order to maintain a balanced life. For each country, a balanced life varies although many of their core values overlap. With an overwhelming presence in each country, the noodle began to evolve. It was soon included in fables, health practices, and family traditions. What was once a foreign crop became a crucial part of daily life in China and Italy. The noodle provides a lifestyle, not just a meal. It provides friendships, strengthens families, improves health, and creates memories. The spices, sauces, and herbs that coat the noodles excite your tastebuds while the people you share the noodles with and the stories that encourage you to eat them excite your mind and emotions. The noodle contains no negativity which is why it plays such an integral role in food culture in each country separately.
Definition: Noodle (noun): Traditionally a combination of flour, water, and eggs, kneaded and formed into the desired shape depending on the country or region it is being served in. A noodle can also expand the scope of the historical definition to include other ingredients such as vegetable noodles of zucchini, gluten-free noodles of a substitute flour, rice noodles, and much more. Noodles are prepared in various ways depending on the chef they can be boiled, satéd, baked, or steamed.
Various sauces, such as red sauce, soy sauce, gravy sauce, etc. may be added to enhance flavor and meaning as well as various thicknesses, shapes, and sizes to enhance visuals. In addition to this, toppings may be added upon serving the noodles, depending on where the noodle is being served such as chicken, spring vegetables, garlic, or parmesan cheese to name a few. Finally, noodles can also be served in soups, on a plate, in a bowl, or in a casserole depending on the desired result.
Warning: The noodle provides extreme happiness, social, and health benefits.
The beauty in the noodle is not the noodle itself but the dish it becomes.
The noodle has been evolving for quite some time now.On China’s side of the evolution: “Many school children were taught that the Venetian merchant Marco Polo brought back pasta from his journeys to China” (History of Pasta).Cross the Pacific and find Italy’s side—noodles were already believed to be in Italy before Marco Polo’s return—thus: “Some may have also learnt that Polo’s was not a discovery, but rather a rediscovery of a product once popular in Italy among the Etruscans and the Romans” (History of Pasta).The question of whether this evolution first began in Italy or in China is a source of debate between the two, so we must discuss each pathway separately.
Let’s first begin with a brief walkthrough of the history of pasta in Italy.“There is indeed evidence of an Etrusco-Roman noodle made from the same durum wheat used to produce modern pasta: it was called “lagane” (origin of the modern word for lasagna).However this type of food, first mentioned in the 1st century AD, was not boiled, as it is usually done today, but ovenbaked” (History of Pasta).In other words, while the roots of modern pasta can be traced back to centuries ago, via similar ingredients, means of production have shifted dramatically—especially, with respect to the rise of machinery.Another example of this is modern-day spaghetti—although it existed in the 18th century, it was known by a different name, macaroni: “The modern word ‘macaroni’ derives from the Sicilian term for kneading dough with energy, as early pasta making was often a laborious, day-long process” (History of Pasta).Once again, this quote is evidence for a shift in the means of production—that is, what once began as a process of strenuous, manual labor, and drying, has shifted into one that takes a fraction of the time.How did the drying of pasta shift gears into a technological, simple, global process?
“By the 1300’s dried pasta was very popular for its nutrition and long shelf life, making it ideal for long ship voyages.Pasta made it around the globe during the voyages of discovery a century later.By that time different shapes of pasta have appeared and new technology made pasta easier to make” (History of Pasta).
Another major mark in the development and globalization of pasta was the ‘discovery’ of tomatoes, which were originally thought of to be poisonous.Today, pasta can be found worldwide, in a variety of forms, textures, sizes, etc.What makes pasta close to the heart for those of Italian descent lies in its history, as it is believed to derive its cultural roots from Italy. “It is estimated that Italians eat over sixty pounds of pasta per person, per year easily beating Americans, who eat about twenty pounds per person” (History of Pasta).To the modern-day Italian, the simple noodle not only reflects cultural identity thus acting as a source of pride, but also calls the concept of family to mind—especially when it is as good as a Nonna’s!The Italians themselves have many different versions of the noodle—A, such as Acini di Pepe,to Z, such as Ziti—defined by the different sizes and shapes, so there is much fodder forcomparisonand contrast to any noodle entrée to (An Intro To Italian Pasta).The noodle is a symbol of family to Italians (or even the Chinese) as it is a given to find it on the table at a family meal.In fact, rule number five in The Truth About Pasta, states the following: “Pasta is Tasty and Brings People Together” (The Truth About Pasta).The rule applies to just about anyone, of any culture…Interestingly, this book also declares the idea that “Pasta is from China” as a myth, stating that: “The Italian version of noodles—spaghetti made with durum wheat—had been produced in Sicily for two centuries before Marco Polo made his way back from China” (The Truth About Pasta).While there are two sides to this argument, it is still important to look into the development of pasta through another lens—that of China.
What is the importance of the noodle to the Chinese?The book, The Truth About Pasta, brings out this astonishing fact: “If we take into account instant pot noodles, China accounts for approximately half of the world’s pasta consumption” (The Truth About Pasta).It is the length of the noodle which symbolizes longevity as we also learned about in Durack’s Story, “Long-Life Noodles,” in the book, Noodle.In China, there is also an extensively wide variety of noodles.For example, one “cousin” of the noodle (one difference being that the flour from which it is made is leavened as opposed to the unleavened flour used for pasta)is the steamed bun, a staple food across the Chinese culture.I enjoyed the watching the assigned video, A Bite of China 02 The Story of Staple Food(HD), as it demonstrated how the creation of the steamed bun or noodle is much more than an ordinary cooking process—it starts with street vendors, then there is thecarrying of supplies, the folding of dough, and the cutting of noodles. It holds a place as a cultural tradition that involves intricacy, precision, and true devotion to one’s culture. This might be difficult to capture in one glance, but fortunately, this film succeeds in doing so by going ‘behind-the-scenes’ documenting steps and events leading up to the final product…Another example of a noodle that is tedious to produce is the bamboo pole noodle, invented about a century ago: “The art has been passed from one generation to the next.It is time-consuming, labour-intensive work.The number of people who still choose to make it their livelihood is diminishing so it is worthwhile to record (or view) how it is done” (Noodles, Pressed and Pulled).Thus, anyone who puts in the time and effort to produce bamboo pole noodles must be extremely devoted to their work in the Chinese community.While in Italy, noodles required a lengthy drying process, in China, the dough had to undergo a lengthy, ‘pressing and pulling’ process: “The noodle-maker placed a piece of dough under the pole and sat on the end of the pole, bouncing up and down.The dough was pressed and folded repeatedly.He might do this for hours on end to make a stack of compressed noodle dough.The noodles were never dried so they were tender” (Noodles, Pressed and Pulled).Thus, in China, when any noodle-laden dish is set down on the table, is likely that the recipient, appreciates the manual labor and process that made it possible.Being a ‘noodle-maker’ was no easy job.
In the Chinese culture specifically, various types of noodles have different values—dependent upon the event or occasion with which the noodle is associated:
“At birthdays, people eat longevity noodles; at the time of marriage and moving into a new house people eat noodles with gravy, which means flavored life; on the day of lunar February 2 ‘dragon head,’ people eat dragon whiskers noodles to look forward to good weather.We eat different noodles in different seasons and different festivals” (Noodles: Traditionally and Today).
Thus, each type of noodle holds a different cultural significance. The previous examples are only a few of many noodle associations. Of particular interest is how certain noodles are intended to be served when an individual is sick. The noodle is ubiquitous, but the subcategories serve tomark these life significant events.
If I were to create a definition of the noodle based on my previous observations and findings about the noodle in China, Italy, and the United States, I would define the noodle as: an edible object that takes on various forms, textures, and sizes, that stemmed from Italy and China—it is soft to eat, is served in a multitude of settings (often with a sauce of some sort, from which it might assume a flavor ), and is made up of a dough that typically consists of wheat, flour, egg, and/or water.Defining the noodle becomes tricky, and has become even trickier over the years, given the gluten-free variations, such as the utilization of almond flour or chickpeas in pasta-making, and even the addition of squid ink or spinach to the dough. So you see there is no ‘perfect definition’ for the noodle with so many “variations on the theme.” I might add that there is a “literal” definition, and a looser one, based on what we have come to appreciate regarding the strong symbolism evoked by the simple noodle.
Collage of Chinese/Italian Noodles
This photograph, I believe, encapsulates the most accurate portrayal of cooked noodles.Since it is difficult (and maybe even impossible) to find one photograph that depicts each and every quality and feature, I created a collage, incorporating various types of noodles from each culture—that is, Chinese and Italian cultures.On the top is the most basic type of noodle: spaghetti or long life noodles.In the middle section, are some of the various, popular types of Italian noodles: pappardelle, fusilli, penne, tortellini, and farfalle.The bottom third of the collage contains images, capturing the main types of Chinese noodles: udon, soba, ramen noodles, wonton noodle soup, and rice vermicelli noodles.Not only does this photo represent noodles hailing from two different cultures, but also the wide array of forms, shades, and sizes, and the subtle change in appearance and texture once a raw noodle is cooked. When I look at these photographs, I can almost get a “mouth-feel” as if I am actually eating!
Noodles are an ever-evolving reflection of culture. From its inception, noodles have been instrumental to the cultures in which it resides. Noodles are interesting, because like rice, the noodle is a mostly tasteless food. It is not until accompanying flavors are added that the noodle comes to life. Even in the most simple forms of noodle as seen in “Noodles Pressed and Pulled” are eaten by purists served with lard and shrimp roe. Ultimately, the noodle is the vessel by which flavor is delivered while also enhancing and developing those flavors along the way. “Dan Dan Noodles!” shows how noodles are used as the base for spicy and savory dishes alike. The street noodles described in this chapter are very affordable and provided everyone from all socio-economic classes access to a tasty snack. With the fierce competition in Chengdu, the vendors were forced to innovate new recipes in order to cultivate a loyal consumer base. This period was important in causing an explosion of new and inventive Chinese dishes. I believe that the noodle can be symbolic of the Chinese mindset. Like the noodle and its ever-evolving history, the Chinese people have forged forward through millennia and many political dynasties carving an increasingly complex cultural heritage and history. Also, like the noodle, the Chinese people have remained true to the principles and traditions that have gotten them to where they are now. So like the Chinese people, the noodle has evolved while maintaining ties to its roots. Italians have a close connection to noodles just like the Chinese, but their relationship differs. Italy is the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and was the center of many financial and cultural revolutions in the past millennia. With a constant influx of new flavors and tastes, Italy was still able to develop its own national identity with separate sub regional identities. As talked about in the “History of Pasta,” wheat was very easily grown across Italy. The adoption of the noodle was because of the availability of wheat lending to cheap production of pasta. Like the Chinese though, pasta is never eaten on its own. The noodle is always paired with sauces and spices to create a more complex dish.
By analyzing both sentiments, I think I can make a definition of my own. The noodle is a vessel that serves as the foundation of a dish taking the flavor profile of the ingredients by which the dish derives its identity from. The noodle is symbolic of much more however. It takes on the issues and prosperity of its culture, and the effects are always seen immediately. Traditional dishes and recipes have to give way to new recipes due to an ever shifting marketplace of ingredients and availability. For example, tomatoes were in no part of the Italian cookbook until the mid 19th century. Once they were discovered to not be poisonous, the tomato began to become an Italian staple. Italian cuisine also went under changes due to Arabic influences in the 8th century. Even though these Arabic invasions eventually ceased, the impact that they had on cuisine was long lasting and became a part of the region’s cuisine. Pasta could be viewed as a timeline with each important event adding to that timeline. What made the noodle up to a certain point never changed with the advent of new techniques and ingredients. If you made a chronological mosaic of noodle dishes invented in Italy and China respectively, I believe that the mosaic would coincide with major events and cultural shifts that occurred in each country. The events that make the food pass, but the food is passed on.
The definition of the noodle goes beyond the description of it as a food. While describing a noodle as a strip, ring or tube of dough typically made with eggs and eaten with sauce or soups is a great definition, I believe it is not entirely encompassing. A full definition would also touch on all the things the noodle represents throughout Chinese and Italian culture.
The noodle while made of simplistic ingredients such as flour, water and eggs, is a complex and multi-layered food that can be shaped and created based on the culture and history surrounding it. Noodles reflect the people that make them and the thousand different shapes and dishes that are created with the noodle reflect the thousands of stories and historical events that have been created right alongside them.
This is my definition of the noodle and what it really means. Through the readings and videos throughout this class, I have realized more and more that this is a more fitting definition. When talking about the identity of the noodle you are not just talking about the ingredients that make it up but the culture and history that are just as influential in the makeup of the noodle.
In the reading Noodles, Traditionally and Today there is a section titled “The Stories of Noodles”. In this section, the author talks about how Chinese noodle dishes play roles in aspects of religion and economy. Certain dishes are associated with specific holidays and events such as eating dumplings in Spring Festival. Along with that, there are many customs that are associated with noodles such as the longevity noodles being eaten at birthdays as a sign of good luck and prosperity. This section also goes on to talk about how the names of different noodle dishes are assigned based on historical stories from the past. Qishan minced noodles are also called sister-in-law noodles and ashamed son noodles are based on stories passed down and shared throughout Chinese history. This section shows many different examples of how the noodle reflects the culture of the Chinese region and the people that create them. Different forms of noodles stand for different cultural beliefs in the region and even the naming of noodles is a reflection of Chinese history and culture. Another reading that shows how noodles encompass the Chinese culture is Crossing the Bridge. This story is based in the region of Yunan and is about a man whose son could not pass the Imperial Exam. There were many things I gained from this story and how the noodle reflects the Chinese culture. This story reflects the Chinese belief of prosperity and good luck that comes with the noodle. By consuming the hot egg noodle dish, the boy was able to concentrate and pass the momentous exam that he had been unable to pass. This story also reflects the culture of how the noodle brings people together in community. In the story, the boy was isolated from his home until he could pass the exam. Due to the love and community surrounding the cook and the boy, the dish that the cook created was able to reunite him back with his family and home.
In the reading History of Pasta, there are many examples of how the noodle has influenced Italian culture and history. The article mentions how wherever the Italians immigrated they took their pasta with them. This shows that pasta has been changed and influenced based on the many different regions it has gone in Italian history. Pasta has gone back thousands of years so both pasta and history have influenced each other over time. Pasta dishes created in the 8th century were heavily influenced by the Arabic invasion during that time which can be reflected in the culture and history of Italy which was also influenced by the Arabic invasion. Many Sicilian pasta recipes today include middle eastern ingredients such as raisins and cinnamon due to the original Arabic influence. During the 1300s, dried pasta was very popular due to its nutrition and longevity. This was a great reflection of the time period and the people who made it because many people during that time were poor and relied on food that was cheap and easy to make. As a result, it became a staple in Italy and grew in popularity. As a result, today Italians consume over sixty pounds of pasta each per year. This I believe shows how noodles have become a reflection of Italian culture, regions and cities.
Noodles have become an integral part of both Italian and Chinese food, cuisine and culture. The noodle plays such an integral role in the food culture of these countries because they have become such a family-oriented food. Family and community have been the center of Italy and China’s culture for thousands of years. The creation of noodles as a food that can be made and eaten together has allowed for this food to become such an important part of these countries cultures. This has then led into the expansion of different shapes and sizes of noodles as it has migrated throughout these countries and grown and changed with the history. Over time noodles haven’t just played a role in these cultures but have become the representation and definition of the cultures as well.
This picture encompasses the definition of noodle. In this picture, friends are gathered together as they share a Chinese noodle dish. This represents the community and fellowship that comes with eating noodles which is a key factor of the noodle.
Noodles, as many of Italians and Chinese’s soul food, definitely represent who we are. It reflects what history that you had, what region you are in, what city you are from, what kind of culture background you have.
Noodles always contain rich historical background. When you know about Chinese noodles, you will be noticed how they evolve through the time. As the authors from the “Noodle, traditionally and today” mentioned, Chinese noodles have a long history, from Han dynasty, and how they evolve throughout the time. At first, it was only as cake (饼), and then, shui yin (水引) and bo tuo（馎饦）. The improved methods and techniques of making noodles improved, therefore, the Leng tao ( 冷淘) and other variable flavors appeared. When I was reading about Song (宋) and Yuan (元) dynasty period, these noodles name sounds familiar: fine dried noodles (挂面), vegetable raw noodles (素面), five spicy noodles (五香面) and eight treasures noodles (八珍面); I believe I had them in my life. For Italian Pasta perspective, the pasta history aligns with the history of Italy. Like the author of “Table Practices and Manners” mentioned in the chapter “Pasta and the Italians: a single and multiple identity”, “Italy has played a leading role in the history of establishing and disseminating the culture of pasta. Two traditions merged on Italian territory: the ancient Roman……and the Middle Eastern”. Pasta also evolves throughout the time. From the same chapter of this book, the new techniques of industrial production of pasta brought out many new pasta products alongside the traditional ones.
I believe, noodle to Chinese people and pasta to Italian people are kind of similar: it means identities. From the lessons we learnt and the readings we read; different regions produce different noodles. Why they have different noodles? The uniqueness of the region (weather, main crops, historical background) produced the unique culture of noodles. From the reading of “Dan Dan Noodle”, it is the “perfect antidote to the grey humidity of the Chengdu Climate”. For pastas, different pasta style came from different region, like the author of “Table Practices and Manners” mentioned, ancient Roman culture developed fresh pastas, like lasagna, cooked in the dry heat of the oven; Middle Eastern culture developed long and thin pastas that could be dried more easily and stored longer, then cooked in water. From what type of noodle that people usually eat defines where you from. From personal perspective, I usually eat fine dried noodles, which are eaten mostly by Yangtze River Delta Region, where my hometown is. I believe the wide spread of consuming noodles and variation of the noodles make noodles the basic main dish in both countries. Each region or Each sub-culture can arrange and create their forms of their noodle dish.
To define noodles in my own view, I will define noodles as: the long, thin strings, cut from the soft dough of flour and water, cooked in water. Usually come with soup or gravy. Unlike the definition from Oxford Dictionary, “A very thin, long strip of pasta or a similar flour paste, eaten with a sauce or in a soup.” I would not use pasta to define. But similar to mention about what it came with. Noodles in China could be dry or in the soup. I believe this is very straightforward, simple and basic definition of noodles. I believe noodle itself is in the same way: in my point of view, noodles is straightforward: as everybody who knows about Chinese culture knows about noodles; simple to cook: as you only need to boil the water and get ready for the soup or gravy, very basic main dish in my life.
I found this picture interesting to explain what noodles represent who we are:
Here is the kid who is eating the most popular kind of instant noodles. It is in the news blog telling “31% of Chinese tourists pack instant noodles when they travel”. (from https://qz.com/802004/31-of-chinese-tourists-pack-instant-noodles-when-they-travel-an-alibaba-baba-survey-shows/). I believe this picture shows that kids also in love with noodles; when Chinese travel, the most popular comfort food is instant noodles. The author of “Noodle, traditionally and today” mentioned about that instant noodles might impact people’s health. It might be true that they are constrained as it is not healthy, especially for the kids, but it is delicious and it is a cup of hot soup with noodles! It is the best you can get when you are travelling.
Before the start of this class, a lot of my friends, including myself, almost scoffed at the idea that there was a course about noodles at Emory. Our small minds could only encompass “noodles” as “thin long strings of carbs, mostly used for pasta.” With just a week into class, my perspective of the noodle had changed, and it continues to evolve every moment spent thinking about its multifaceted identity.
Part of what the noodle encompasses, is its ability to influence a whole society. As Dr. Li explained in a class lecture, one can tell a person’s characteristics based on where they are from. This comes from how the different ingredients of noodles are cared for in different regions, and how the methods shape the people who tend them. In Thomas Tallhelm’s “Rice Theory,” the people of the southern and northern regions have very distinct personalities. The Southern people are generally more interdependent and cooperative. This is contributed to the fact the South grows rice as its main crop. Growing rice in the Southern mountains requires much more intensive labor than growing wheat. It needs a lot more cooperation between people, which is why Southerners are more of a people-person. The Northern region is different; it grows wheat as its main crop in the flat plains. Due to that fact, northern people are more independent, analytical, and sometimes even more aggressive. Growing wheat doesn’t require people to collaborate or interact with others on the field in any way. One can just own a small piece of land and feed your own family. The noodles, in this way, very much reflect the culture, regions and the people that cook them. It’s almost like a cuisine footprint, in which it records the exact nature of the people that once created them.
During one of our breakout room discussions, I realized that noodles, although an extremely staple cuisine in both countries, has distinctly different meanings to the Chinese and the Italians.
The meaning of noodles is clearly evident in the portrayal of noodles in the story Crossing the Bridge. As we read in Durack’s “Noodle,” the boy who constantly gets distracted from his Imperial exams moves away across the bridge so he can focus on his studies and pass the exam. With his hot bowl of noodles from his old nanny across the bridge, he is finally able to finish his studies after successfully taking the exam. This story highlights that the noodles were vital to his studies, a component that helped his pass the exam. It didn’t become a distraction nor a simple portion of fuel. Instead, the noodles provided the essential nourishment for the boy that prevented the bad spirits from bothering him and eventually helped him focus and study. As shown in this story, noodles in China are like a miracle cure food. It brought comfort and concentration to the boy, something he desperately needed. Noodles are able to bring forth the very essentials a person consuming them needs. Noodles also play a very integral role in China as one of China’s staple cuisines, of providing people’s needs through the warmth of the love by the others who have prepared the dish. The noodle has the power to bring people together in front of a table, and its ever-evolving nature continues to excite people who consume it.
For Italians, noodles also mean more than just food. Pasta, the Italian equivalent of noodles, is an all-time comfort food. These comforting qualities may be from the fact that pasta is a staple Italian cuisine or that it’s catered to the tastebuds of Italians, but the most comforting quality of pasta is how little it has changed over the centuries. The pasta people eat today are very similar to what ancestors ate in the past; it, with its long and multicultural history, is a significant culinary connection to our past. It’s as if we are consuming the historical evidence left by our ancestors. As Dr. Ristaino explained in her lecture, people can be constantly connecting with family when they eat pasta. The food becomes not just fuel but a pillar for culture in Italy, that was once erected hundreds of years ago. And the way it still stands today plays a mother-like role in encompassing all the culture that happens surrounding Italian pasta.
Noodles definitely go beyond the dictionary definitions in China and Italy. Even the most basic ones cannot even grasp the smallest portion of what noodles actually mean for the people in these countries. I think the biggest problem in the clinical definitions is that they become too technical. The clinical definition includes the ingredients and the shapes of a specific type of noodles; yet, “noodles” cannot be limited to one ingredient or one shape, even in the same town, let alone the same country. I personally think the definition should be embracing more of the culture-influencing aspects of the noodle. Here is my best attempt:
Noodles – “a substance of food produced with as much creativity as the history and the present allows, and encompasses culture and history in each different pattern and taste it is made to be”
Image (Able to explain why this picture was chosen in class discussion)
There has been much debate about where noodles have originated from. Some state that it originated in the Han dynasty which was more 4,000 years ago with preserved millet noodle under a bowl from an archeological site in China. According to Truth about Pasta article, pasta dates back to Etruscan civilizations and the Italian version of noodles-spaghetti-has been produced in Sicily long before Marco Polo made his way back from China. Noodles have gradually transformed from traditional handicraft to machinery mass-produced noodles. The great thing about noodles is that they can be eaten at any time of the day- midmorning, lunch or mid-afternoon and as a snack or a meal. In China, the main compositions are wheat and rice, while in Italy, the past and present pasta are made from durum wheat. Noodles have also evolved from being freshly made to dry due to the increase of technology and machinery for convenience and ease of transportation. However, both forms of noodles are still very popular and are used for different purposes. The Chinese have also popularized instant noodles. While we typically consider pasta as a Mediterranean diet, it is in fact that globalization from Asia, America, Africa and Europe have played a major role in developing this characteristic of bringing corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and beans. Due to globalization, food from all over the world have transformed noodles and their sauces and flavors in that it has now created brilliant combinations of a balanced mix of western and eastern flavors. Globalization of pasta occurred as there were increasing trade, invasions, and migrations. For example, potatoes and tomatoes came from America and are incorporated into the tradition and the gnocchi that we know and love today. According to a survey conducted by Oxfam in Truth about Pasta article, pasta is the world’s favorite food due to being so versatile and adaptable to other cultural ingredients and sauces.
Noodles come in all shapes and sizes, where it is thick, thin, sheets, strips, etc. Noodles are also nontraditionally categorized, where things made of dough such as bread, pastries, dumplings, and pizzas are also considered as noodles. There are so many ways to cook it such as hot, cold, spicy, steamed, or fried. It is also made of so many different materials such as from plants, animals, flour, eggs, and etc. There are so many different sauces and seasoning, where they can be as simples as just having a couple ingredients to mixing in a variety of vegetables, meats, and sauces. Some noodles are time-consuming and have very specific procedures and steps in order to make them correctly, such as pressed noodles or pulled noodles.
In China, noodles essentially mean “human nature” and “worldly common sense”, with thousands of varieties of noodles and cooking styles. It is their main source of energy and the most economical energy food that maintains the Chinese healthy diet that is nutritious and avoids the “disadvantages of high energy, high fat, and low carbohydrate diet, and promote health” according to Noodles, traditionally and today. Noodles are also associated and linked with holidays and festivities such that moon cakes are eaten in Mid-Autumn Festival and dumplings in Spring Festivals. During birthdays, people eat longevity noodles. Many types of noodles are also associated with stories. People eat noodles for a variety of reason, such as when they are sick, for convenience, or for good luck and prosperity.
In Italy, pasta has a long history, especially with invasions. It is often made from durum wheat since it thrived in Italy’s climate. Different regions in Italy have different variety of pasta with different sauces, meats, fillings due to regional differences. As the growth of technology continues, machinery and dried pasta made it easier to make and transport. Pasta, according to the article about identity, is a metaphor for unity and the variety of Italian alimentary styles and is a way of expressing differences. It shows that people like pasta can be simple to complicated and that they can be all different types of shapes, sizes, and cooked in various ways, but in the end, they are unified in that they are identified and categorized as one: Pasta. It is very important to the Italians to cook pasta until it is al dente, which is firm to the teeth yet tender. According to the Life in Italy article, “serving pasta that is made fresh that day shows a great deal of care in preparation and a high level of pride in the household’s culinary skills”. The difference between fresh and dried pasta is that they are used in different situations. Simple pasta typically works best with simple sauces while complex-shaped pasta is ideal for thicker sauces. For authentic flavor, it is important to use and cook high-quality pasta properly.
Many noodles have local characteristics and reflect cultural traditions and customs. Noodles are not only a source of nutrition, but it also plays a role in religion, economy, festivals, and events. The noodles are often so integral in that many people reminisce about their childhood memories of food. Oftentimes, these memories are all we have, as we are consumed in this current fast-paced lifestyle, where we may not have the time, skills in making the noodles, or patience. The people that know the skills and make it original way are diminishing as the art is not being passed down from each generation as often. For both of these countries, noodles are for pleasure, healthy, and can be part of a balanced diet, through combinations with vegetables and meats and portion controls. According to the truth about pasta, noddles are a good source of energy and in some cases, it “help prevent and slow the progression of major chronic diseases”. This reminds me of Lin Yutang’s article of eating food as medicine to alleviate, prevent, and cure illnesses and diseases. The Chinese emphasize eating to prevent disease and not just taking medicine to cure it, which combines and intertwines the meaning of medicine and food. Both of these cultures emphasize the importance of connecting food with long-term health. The history these noodles are complex and is due to the differences and mixture of economics, culture, social and politics to form the taste and type.
The definition of noodle is multifarious and will vary between each culture and region, however, based on my knowledge and readings, this is how I would personally describe it. Noodles come in different varieties of shapes, sizes, ingredients, and cooked in multi-various ways that are healthy, a good source of energy, convenient, affordable, accessible, and most of all enjoyed by yourself or socially with others. Noodles can be fried, steamed, in broth, sauce, baked, stir-fried, boiled, and etc. They come in different shapes and sizes of being big, small, long, short, have ridges, and different complexity. Noodles are inclusive and versatile through any wheat and egg combinations whether handmade or machinery including dough to bread. Now, more than ever due to globalization, noodles may be combined with various meats, vegetables, sauces, spices not only locally, but also globally for an amalgamation of flavors that activates all of the tongue’s taste buds. Noodles have deeper meanings as they may be made from love or eaten with love, but most of all it connects us to one another and back to the long, rich history behind it.
This picture of instant noodle is a representation of the endless ways of how noodles can be defined. Instant noodles, began in China, however, we can see that this packaging is in English and is in America. In this one bowl, it contains various vegetables, spices, and most important of all noodles. It goes into the roots of how noodles are supposed to be affordable, convenient, and can be enjoyed by everyone with the fact that noodles can be as simple or complex as one makes it be. However, this dried instant noodle is a simplification of what the actual noodle can be, which is complex and soupier with all-natural and fresh ingredients.
The noodle plays a vital role in reflecting the values of various cultures. In class we discussed the deeply rooted history of noodles in China and Italy as we debunked the myth that Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy using journals on the Silk Road. The story of Marco Polo highlights the importance of the noodle in multicultural relations. Although noodles around the world are prepared and eaten differently the basis of the noodle allows for a shared food that can be used to unify people that have otherwise very different cultural differences.
The true origins of the noodle can be traced back nearly 4000 years in Lajia, China’s Qinghai province. Lajia was a flourishing community of people until a series of natural disasters occurred, specifically an earthquake followed by a flood, leaving the area frozen in time. Many items of this tragedy were maintained for thousands of years and among them were a bowl of noodles! That bowl of noodles was able to give us a glimpse into the lives of the people living in the Lajia region as we can hypothesize about the tools to construct those noodles and the ingredients used in the dish.
Noodles, traditionally and today provides key information about the stories behind many of the common noodles found in China. I love how many of the Chinese traditions are directly related to noodles to link history and food. They use noodles as a means to relate to their rich culture as they go through the process of cooking and eating certain noodles depending on the occasion (long life noodles for birthdays, dumplings for Summer Festivals, and my personal favorite the old friend noodle. (Zhang, 2)
The folk tale behind Guangxi vinegar-pepper noodles describes a relationship between a teahouse owner and a regular customer who makes an appearance every day. When the customer did not show up one day the shopkeeper followed up on his friend and realized he was sick. Similar to how the Guangxi vinegar pepper noodle was brought to the friend when he was sick, these spicy noodles are being used today to have close friends/family sweat away illness. I love this Chinese noodle the most because the value placed on providing help to people who are ill. I am aspiring to become a pediatrician later in life so I’m drawn to the idea of using food to cure illness. (Zhang, 2)
The Italians place an importance on the pasta’s consistency to remaining unchanged. An Intro to Italian Pasta provided an in depth analysis of all the different varieties of pastas and how they are implemented into Italian cuisine. Although Angel Hair has a long thin shape similar to hair and Gemelli has a spiral shape consisting of 2 strings of pasta, they are made of virtually the same ingredients of wheat and durum flour. Because the ingredients have not changed Italians have used their creativeness to come up with countless ways to create pasta, directly referencing Italy’s rich artistic roots. Italy’s innovativeness can been seen through the works of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel or Apulia’s (a region of Italy) creation of the Orecchiette pasta that resembles a small ear. Although both Chinese and Italians use noodles differently, both cultures place noodles at an integral position in their societies.
Thomas Talhelm’s study on Rice Theory provides an account of the relationship between social anthropology/psychology and food as the noodle was used to describe the difference in the types of people in different regions of China. In Southern China people tend to be more communicative and have a sense of teamwork which could relate to the need to work with others to harvest the main crop, rice. However, in the North where wheat is accessible people seem to be more independent. This could as a result of the use of wheat for each family to independently make their noodles without much help from others. Because the noodle is one of the main foods in China and Italy, the ingredient gathering process for the noodle plays an integral role in the food culture for these countries.
I believe the noodle also plays a vital role in providing shared experiences among people who would typically not have a lot of food in common is crucial. Italy and China have very different dishes as a result of the different access to ingredients (South China has rice noodles, Italy has access to wheat), however the identity of the noodle can be used as a starting conversation between people of different ethnicities and backgrounds. When people know that they have one thing in common (work, sport interest, friends) the idea of starting a conversation can feel less daunting. I plan to personally use the noodle more in my life as I use it to unify people who may not seem to feel as though they have a lot in common.
Most of the dictionary definitions of the noodle will mention pasta that is made from dough of flour and water. Some definitions also describe how it is made or eaten, however I think that contribution narrows down the identity of the pasta. Drawing inspiration from all the readings this week that described noodles as well as the classification of noodle dishes I would define the noodle as “A cross-cultural food that is prepared using a variety of methods and can come in different compositions.”
The noodle cannot be simply defined as people from different backgrounds may look at noodles with a different perspective. The Chinese may look at the noodle to represent a value, the Italians may look at the noodle to represent family and unity, and Indians (like myself) may look at the noodle as an exotic dish that represents another culture. I do want to mention that the noodle has made a prominent influence in the lives of India’s as we have incorporated it into dishes like Maggi that has combined the classic ramen style noodle and Indian spices (masala). This is just one example of how the noodle has spread to influence another society in the world that did not originally have strong ties to the noodle (similar to that of China and Italy).
This image represents the noodle as it demonstrates the influence the “simple noodle” has had on the world. It has ties in Japan, Iran, Taiwan, India, and of course China to mention a few. Although the origins are placed in China I love how this picture highlighted the fact that different types of noodles can be found in different regions of China (Northern China vs. Guangdong). Not to mention its influence on the world, this picture also shows the salient features of the noodle through the variety of ingredients that are used in each of these dishes (some have vegetables, meat, egg, etc). The shape is also crucial as this image shows the ramen like noodle in the Chinese noodles to the nontraditional Indian noodle which is typically cut into a shorter segments of noodle. The color of the noodles and the soup is also seen through this picture as the Japanese bowl of ramen has a darker soup whereas the Chinese Zha Jiang Mian has a lighter broth. I just love how each of these dishes is so different but the focal point of all of them is the noodle which holds a dear place in not only my life, but the lives of people around the world.
Noodles, although a humble product, are a loved staple food for many people throughout the globe. With evidence dating back at least 4,000 years, as uncovered by the Lajia archaeological site in northwestern China, the noodle’s cultural history has spanned millennia. However, like any aspect of culture, modifications do still occur. While the unearthed long thin yellow noodles made of broomcorn and foxtail millet may have been one of the first recipes, today the possibilities are endless. With varieties created from durum wheat, rice, buckwheat, or other grains; the ingredients of the noodles themselves are only one factor that can be manipulated by the chef. Then comes the shape, cooking method, sauces, stews, and other accompaniments that make each dish both special and unique.
While most pasta dishes are unique, a common theme in the production and consumption of noodles lies in the location of the cooking. The dish’s hometown often plays just as significant a role in its development as does the mind of the chef who first invented it. Xie Laoban from Chendu serves their Dan Dan noodles with Sichuan pepper, Brazilians top their pastas with feijoada, Japanese eat Tonkotsu ramen in a flavorful pork bone broth, and Ethiopians mix in Berberé. Each of these locations not only incorporate locally sourced and produced ingredients into their pasta dishes, but they have cultural and historical stories associated with the creation of the dish.
Take, for example, the long-life noodle. This dish, one of the most celebrated noodle dishes in China, is eaten on Chinese people’s birthdays. While there are variations to the ritual, often each person at the table will scavenge through their bowl to find the longest noodle and place it in the center for the person of the hour to eat. This is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. As a result, Chinese noodles, with this variety in particular, have become a cultural symbol for longevity in life. In Italy, pasta serves as a glue to bring people together both in eating and cooking. Ravioli, for example, is a labor of love and very time intensive to make if left to one person. Instead, families join together along large tables to create batches of ravioli that they later eat in good company.
With many differences in the preparation across cultures, one thing for certain is that people love pasta. According to the The Truth About Pasta, Oxfam conducted an independent survey in 2011, where pasta was named the world’s favorite food. Pasta is “sumptuous enough to grace the cover of luxury food magazines, yet accessible enough to be used in nutrition assistance programs and budget recipes, pasta is truly a food that brings people together.” Pasta dishes are simple to make, cheap, and nutritionally wholesome when prepared with fresh vegetables and healthy fats, so it makes perfect sense that noodles are so interwoven into China and Italy’s culinary history.
Being so wide-encompassing, it is difficult to truly define all of China’s and Italy’s noodles. Perhaps, a decent definition would read something like: a preparation of milled grains such as flour or rice mixed with liquids like water and/or eggs to produce a dough that is shaped, cut, and then cooked with other toppings and ingredients to produce a final dish that is best produced and eaten amongst family and friends. This definition aims to be broad enough to overlay all the regional varieties of noodle recipes that are seen in these countries as well as touch on the aspect of eating the noodle and what makes this process so meaningful. The noodle is so much more than just a simple dish of flour, eggs, and water. It is a tool to bring people together, symbolize longevity, harbor cultural flavors, and nourish the body and soul.
This image of soba dipping noodles represents the endless possibilities of what noodles can be. A noodle is a blank canvas, but still a work of art all to itself. They are delicious enough to be eaten plain or can be transformed into a greater dish when accompanied with other ingredients.
