Wikipedia

Cart noodle

Cart Noodles (traditional Chinese: 車仔麵; simplified Chinese: 车仔面) is a noodle dish which became popular in Hong Kong and Macau in the 1950s through independent street vendors operating on roadsides and in public housing estates in low-income districts, using mobile carts.[1][2] Many street vendors have vanished but the name and style of noodle endures as a cultural icon.[3]

Cart Noodles
Cart noodles with beef soup
TypeNoodles
CourseMain course
Place of originHong Kong and Macau
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsFlour, egg and depend on toppings
Cart noodle
Traditional Chinese車仔麵
Simplified Chinese车仔面
Cantonese YaleChējái mihn
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChēzǎi miàn
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationChējái mihn
JyutpingCe1zai2 min6
IPA[tsʰɛ́ː tsɐ̌i mìːn]
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese嗱喳麵
Simplified Chinese嗱喳面
Cantonese YaleLáhjá mihn
Transcriptions
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationLáhjá mihn
JyutpingLaa5zaa2 min6
IPA[la̬ː.tsǎː mìːn]
A bowl of thin noodles with sour wheat gluten and fish curd at a restaurant in Sham Shui Po
A menu in a cart noodle restaurant in Wan Chai

History

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With many immigrants arriving from mainland China during the 1950s, hawkers would sell food from mobile carts roaming the streets.[1] Some vendors specialising in cooked noodles would sell them with an assortment of toppings and styles.[4]

Historically, the cart frames were assembled out of wood with a metallic basin, allowing a heat source inside to cook the ingredients. In the past [when?], it was possible to receive large quantities for a cheap price. With hygiene standards rising, the majority of street hawkers, licensed or otherwise, have since vanished.

Legacy

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The name and style of the noodles endures, and remain widely available in Hong Kong style teahouses (despite street hawkers dwindling).[5] The price may vary depending on the ingredients, or establishments. It is typically considered an affordable food, and is consumed as a mid-day snack or lunch. Additionally, due to the noodle's widespread cultural influence, it can also be found in higher-end establishments with emphasis placed on better quality ingredients and technique.

Typical combinations

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Cart noodles is typically based upon the diner choosing various ingredients they would like, including the type of noodles, various soup broths, and toppings.[2] Examples of types of noodles and toppings, which may vary considerably from stall to stall:

Toppings

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Noodles

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Soup

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The soup served can vary with the establishment and diner preferences, some options may include: beef broth, fish/seafood broth, chicken broth, laksa soup, curry soup, .[2]

See also

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References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cart noodle.
  1. ^ a b "Cart noodles" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  2. ^ a b c "The best local food in Hong Kong". Time Out Hong Kong. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Kai Kai Noodle Shop". CNN Go. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  4. ^ "May May Cart Noodle Restaurant". hiphongkong.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  5. ^ Yu, Helen. "Where To Find The Best Cart Noodles In Hong Kong". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Test results of cart noodles released". The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Division, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2019. (in English)
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