Welcome to the tastiest monthly celebration of the year! March is National Noodle Month. Who doesn’t love a delicious bowl of noodles? Noodles are one of the most versatile and beloved staples in many households across the globe. They offer endless possibilities for delicious meals, ranging from tasty ramen to Italian pasta. With its versatility, noodles can be made in all ways including stir-fried, steamed, boiled, pan-fried, deep-fried, or simmered in soup. You choose!
Origins of Noodles
Most people tend to think of Italian food when they think about noodles. Research shows that the earliest reference to noodles can be found in a Chinese dictionary dating back to the third century A.D., where they were referred to as “mian pian” (National Day Calendar). These traditional noodles are still enjoyed in China today. “In China, an early form of noodles were small bits of bread dough tossed into boiling water” (Spoon). However, noodles of all varieties are now savored across the globe including Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and European countries. Noodles spread from China to Japan as early as 9th century AD (Spoon). In Japan, there are noodles like ramen, udon, and soba, each with its unique flavor and texture. In Korea, noodles are known as “guksu” and are commonly enjoyed in dishes like jjajangmyeon and bibim guksu. Lastly, we are all probably familiar with Italian pasta, with its rich history dating all the way back to ancient Rome.
Stir-Fry Glass Noodles
What’s a better way to celebrate National Noodle Month than to cook noodles. One of the easiest noodle recipes is Stir-Fry Glass Noodles. You can make yourself a delicious meal in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients:
- 1/4lb glass noodles
- Vegetables: bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, peas, mushrooms (use whatever you’d like – this is based off preference)
- Protein: chicken, shrimp, or tofu
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional Toppings: sesame seeds and chopped scallions
Instructions:
- Soak the glass noodles in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until they become soft. Drain and set aside.
- Heat some oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the vegetables to the pan and stir-fry for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add your protein of choice to the pan and cook until it’s fully cooked through.
- Add the soaked glass noodles to the pan along with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
- Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: Add sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
- Serve and enjoy!
Which of these ingredients can you find at the Kodiak Cave? Great question! You can get all of the below items for FREE at the Cave across your 4 shopping trips per quarter:
- tofu
- chicken breast
- mixed vegetables
- rice noodles (similar to glass noodles)
- soy sauce
What’s your favorite type of noodle? Let us know!
Works Cited
National Day Calendar. “National Noodle Month – March.” National Day Calendar, 13 Sept. 2023, www.nationaldaycalendar.com/march/national-noodle-month-march.
Spoon, Splendid. “The Culture and History of Noodles.” The Spoonful, 25 May 2021, splendidspoon.com/blog/culture-and-history-of-noodles.
Kodiak Cave 
