Noodle Soup at Home

Soup noodles don't have to be an intense affair - this video will teach you how to make a simple homestyle bowl of noodles (without reaching for the ramen packet).

INGREDIENT LIST, QIANGGUOMIAN

* Pork, 70g

* Marinade for the Pork:

Salt, 1/8 tsp

White pepper, 1/8 tsp

* Napa cabbage (娃娃菜), 70g

* Fresh shiitake mushroom (鲜香菇), 30g

* Spices to infuse the oil:

Star anise (八角), 1 small pieces

Sichuan peppercorn (花椒), 1/4 tsp

Dried chili (干辣椒), 2 small chilis

* Aromatics:

Ginger (姜), half inch. Minced.

Garlic (大蒜), 2 cloves. Minced.

Scallion (小葱), 2 sprigs. White and green part separated. Whites minced, greens sliced.

* Liaojiu a.k.a Shaoxing wine (料酒), 1/2 tbsp

* Soy sauce (生抽), 1/2 tbsp

* Dried noodles (干面条), 100g -or- (preferably) fresh noodles, 160g

* Water, 3 cups

* Five spice powder (五香粉), 1/4 tsp

* Seasoning:

Salt, 1/4 tsp

Chicken bouillon (鸡粉), 1/4 tsp

MSG (味精), 1/8 tsp

* Toasted sesame oil (香油/麻油), 1/2 tsp

* Optional: Dark Chinese vinegar (香醋 or 陈醋), 1/2 tsp

INGREDIENT LIST, XUECAI PORK TOPPING

* Xuecai pickled cabbage (雪菜) -or- Sichuanese Yacai (碎米芽菜), 30g

* Pork, 70g

* Marinade for pork:

Salt, 1/8 tsp

Sugar, 1/8 tsp

White pepper (胡椒粉), 1/8 tsp

* Soy sauce (生抽), 1/4 tsp

* Liaojiu, a.k.a. Shaoxing wine (料酒/绍酒), 1/4 tsp

* Cornstarch (生粉), 1 tsp

* Water, 2 tbsp

* Oil, 1 tsp

* Sugar, 1/4 tsp. To season the xuecai when stir frying.

* Aromatics:

Ginger (姜), 1/2 inch

Scallion (葱), 2 sprigs

* Liaojiu, aka Shaoxing wine (料酒), 1/2 tbsp

* Soy sauce (生抽/酱油), 1/2 tbsp

* Water, 3 tbsp

* Slurry of cornstarch (生粉), 1/2 tsp mixed with water, ½ tbsp

* Dried noodles (干面条), 100g -or- fresh noodles, 160g

* For the soup base:

Hot, boiled water -or- stock, 2 cups

Soy sauce (生抽), ½ tbsp

Lard, ½ tsp

Sugar, ½ tsp

Salt, ¼ tsp

Chicken bouillon powder (鸡粉), 1/8 tsp

MSG (味精), 1/8 tsp