Wuhan Hot and Dry Noodles (Re Gan Mian) — Sesame Paste Mastery
Wuhan, Hubei Province
Re gan mian (热干面) is Wuhan's iconic breakfast noodle — widely considered one of China's top five noodles. Alkaline noodles are pre-cooked, tossed with sesame oil, and cooled. To serve, they are quickly reheated in boiling water, drained, then dressed with pure sesame paste (not tahini), light soy, vinegar, chili oil, preserved radish (su cai), scallion, and sesame seeds. The paste is the soul.