Sour Soup Noodles

Sour Soup Noodles

　　Sour Soup Noodles are an authentic Manchu snack made from cornmeal. They resemble “zha zi” in shape and color but are slightly thicker and lighter in color. Due to fermentation, they are much more sour than zha zi. The preparation involves soaking corn in water for about a week, then grinding it into a watery mixture. The coarse residue is filtered out using a fine cloth bag, and the remaining fine cornmeal is placed in a vat to ferment. Once it develops a slight sourness, it is taken out and becomes the noodle dough.

Nowadays, these Sour Soup Noodles can be found not only in traditional Manchu farmsteads but also ordered at urban Manchu-style restaurants. After getting used to rich meats and heavy flavors, having a bowl of Sour Soup Noodles paired with some pickled vegetables or greens can be surprisingly refreshing.