Hot dry noodles (Reganmian)

Reganmian, or more commonly hot dry noodles, is a traditional dish originating from Wuhan, the capital of the Chinese Hubei province. It is one of the five most common and popular noodle dishes in China. The noodles in reganmian are cooked in a mixture of water and sesame oil, cooled, tossed and warmed in the same mixture right before serving.

The process results in a delicious serving of noodles which are coated with a strong sesame flavor. The dish is sold by numerous street vendors across the city, who sell it from the early morning until late in the evening. Additional ingredients and garnishes vary among the vendors, who use different elements such as peanut or sesame oil, soy sauce, and chili to create their signature reganmian.

Although commonly regarded as a breakfast dish, it can also be eaten as an afternoon snack or a light dinner. This inexpensive and simple dish has been a 50-year-old tradition in Wuhan and is still considered to be the most popular dish in the area.