When the Lunar New Year rolls around, one dish you’ll always find gracing the table in my family is a steaming bowl of Shanghai-style New Year noodles with pork. These long, chewy noodles—called longevity noodles—symbolize long life, prosperity, and togetherness. This particular dish is rooted in comfort, packed with rich umami flavors, and absolutely perfect for ushering in good luck. It’s quick enough to be a weeknight easy food recipe, yet impressive enough to be the centerpiece of your Chinese New Year food spread. If you're looking for asian noodles easy to prepare but big on flavor, this one checks all the boxes.
Shanghai-Style New Year Noodles with Pork
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Wok or large skillet A carbon steel wok is ideal for getting that smoky wok hei flavor, but a nonstick skillet or cast iron pan will also do just fine.
Pot for boiling noodles A medium to large pot with salted water for boiling your noodles. Make sure it’s big enough so the noodles don’t clump.
Strainer or Spider Helps lift the noodles from boiling water easily, especially if you're reserving water or using the pot again for other ingredients.
Mixing bowls You'll need one for marinating the pork and one for mixing the sauce ahead of time.
Tongs or a Wok Spatula Perfect for tossing and stirring noodles evenly with the sauce and ingredients.
For the noodles and pork
- 12 oz fresh or dried Shanghai-style wheat noodles or any long, chewy wheat noodles
- 1/2 pound pork shoulder or pork belly thinly sliced (you can also use boneless pork chops)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry as a substitute
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- For the sauce and stir-fry
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 3 scallions sliced (white and green parts separated)
- 1/2 cup napa cabbage shredded (optional but traditional)
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts optional
- Toasted sesame seeds and scallion greens for garnish
Marinate the Pork
In a medium bowl, mix the sliced pork with 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and white pepper. Let it sit while you prepare the other ingredients—about 15 minutes. This infuses the pork with deep flavor and keeps it juicy during cooking.
Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, sugar, chicken broth, and sesame oil. Set aside. This flavorful blend is the heart of your longevity noodles recipe.
Cook the Noodles
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Toss lightly with a bit of oil to prevent sticking.
Sear the Pork
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in your wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and sear until browned and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork from the pan and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables
In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed. Add the white parts of the scallions, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cabbage and bean sprouts (if using), stir-frying just until softened—about 1–2 minutes.
Combine Everything
Add the cooked noodles and pork back to the wok. Pour in your pre-mixed sauce. Toss everything together with tongs or a spatula, ensuring the noodles are fully coated and the sauce is evenly distributed.
Garnish and Serve
Plate the noodles into a large serving bowl or individual portions. Garnish with scallion greens and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Pairings
Side Dishes
Pair this dish with dimsum recipes like shrimp dumplings or pork buns for a rounded festive meal. A simple cucumber salad with vinegar and sesame oil can offer a refreshing contrast.
Drinks
Try a hot cup of jasmine tea or chilled barley tea. If you prefer something boozy, a crisp lager or light sake pairs wonderfully with the rich, savory notes of the dish.
Dessert
To finish off your Chinese New Year food spread, consider a sweet treat like sesame balls (jian dui) or red bean paste pancakes.
FAQs
1. What type of pork works best for this recipe?
Pork shoulder and pork belly are traditional and give you the juiciest texture and best flavor. Thinly sliced boneless pork chops are a leaner alternative if you prefer something lighter.
2. Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes, but try to stick with long wheat noodles for symbolic reasons. Egg noodles or lo mein noodles work in a pinch, but traditional Shanghai wheat noodles offer the ideal chew and texture for longevity noodles chinese.
3. Is this dish spicy?
Not inherently, but you can always add chili oil or sliced fresh chilies for a spicy twist. It’s a flexible dish, making it great for quick easy dinners with custom flair.
4. Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap the pork for firm tofu or mushrooms, and use a vegetarian oyster sauce. It's a wonderful addition to your collection of asian noodle recipes in vegetarian form.
5. Can I prep this ahead of time?
You can marinate the pork and mix the sauce up to a day in advance. Cooked noodles can be stored separately and reheated in the pan. It’s one of those dinner ideas easy enough to prep ahead and assemble in minutes.
