Shanghai Thick Noodles
上海粗炒 · Shànghǎi Cū Chǎo
🌶
📍 Easy to find
Shanghai Cu Chao (thick stir-fried noodles) is the city's answer to comfort food. Thick, chewy noodles are stir-fried at high heat with shredded pork, bok choy (or Shanghai greens), and generous amounts of dark soy sauce and sugar. The noodles absorb the sauce, turning a deep brown color with a sweet-savory glaze. Properly made, the noodles have slight wok hei — the breath of the wok — and a satisfying chew. It's simple, hearty, and soul-satisfying.
📖 History
Thick Shanghai noodles (cu mian) have been made in Shanghai since the late 1800s. The stir-fried version became a lunch staple for office workers in the 1920s.
🍝 Where to eat it:
Found at almost every Shanghai noodle shop. Also easy to make at home — many Shanghai families have their own version.
Found at almost every Shanghai noodle shop. Also easy to make at home — many Shanghai families have their own version.