Eating in China
Minle hand-rolled barley noodles

Minle hand-rolled barley noodles

搓鱼面(民乐青稞版)Cuōyú miàn (Mínlè qīngkē bǎn)

Long, hand-rolled highland-barley noodles from Minle, Gansu. The grey-brown strands are chewy and gently grainy, with a sour, garlicky chili dressing. “Fish” describes their tapered shape, not a fish ingredient.

Heat
Region
Gansu
Type
Staple foods
Street food
Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Mix the dressing through the noodles and lift a small bundle with chopsticks or a fork. Ask for chili separately if possible; test a little dressing before mixing it all in.

A useful check

Barley contains gluten. Ask about other flours, cooking fat and chili-paste ingredients; a prepared sauce may contain additional allergens. Other cuoyu noodles use wheat or oats and different toppings.

How it may vary

Barley contains gluten. Ask about other flours, cooking fat and chili-paste ingredients; a prepared sauce may contain additional allergens. Other cuoyu noodles use wheat or oats and different toppings.

GET TO KNOW THE DISH

What goes into it?

Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.

Barley contains gluten. Ask about other flours, cooking fat and chili-paste ingredients; a prepared sauce may contain additional allergens. Other cuoyu noodles use wheat or oats and different toppings.

Recipes vary by restaurant.

How does it taste?

Long, hand-rolled highland-barley noodles from Minle, Gansu. The grey-brown strands are chewy and gently grainy, with a sour, garlicky chili dressing. “Fish” describes their tapered shape, not a fish ingredient.

Chili heat
Texture
Long, hand-rolled highland-barley noodles from Minle, Gansu. The grey-brown strands are chewy and gently grainy, with a sour, garlicky chili dressing. “Fish” describes their tapered shape, not a fish ingredient.
How it’s made
Mill highland barley into flour, mix with warm water, knead and roll into long tapered strands. Boil and drain. This version is tossed with heated vinegar, chili paste and salt, ginger and garlic sizzled in cooking oil.

Barley contains gluten. Ask about other flours, cooking fat and chili-paste ingredients; a prepared sauce may contain additional allergens. Other cuoyu noodles use wheat or oats and different toppings.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Explore regional food

Associated with Gansu.

About this regional connection

Gansu: Minle highland-barley long-strand representative version.

Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有搓鱼面(民乐青稞版)吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

Minle hand-rolled barley noodles

Around Minle, cooks turn local highland barley into slender hand-rolled noodles. The rolling technique links them to the wider cuoyu noodle family, while the grain and long shape distinguish this version from steamed oat-dough pieces.

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