Longevity Noodles (Yi Mein, 伊面)

Introduction

Longevity Noodles, or Yi Mein (伊面), are a classic feature in Chinese celebrations, known for their symbolic meaning—these extra-long noodles represent wishes for a long, healthy life. Renowned for their delightfully chewy texture and rich, savory sauce, Longevity Noodles are an easy yet flavorful dish, making it a favorite for special occasions and everyday meals alike. They’re a crowd pleaser, visually impressive, and burst with umami flavor from shiitake mushrooms, oyster sauce, and aromatic scallions.

Why You’ll Love Longevity Noodles

What sets Longevity Noodles apart is their springy texture and the deep flavor they absorb from the sauce. Their impressive length makes for a stunning presentation—and a fun dining experience. They’re a great vegetarian option, but can easily be customized with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Plus, this dish comes together quickly for simple yet satisfying weeknight dinners or festive occasions.

Perfectly Seasoned Noodles for Every Occasion

The key to great Longevity Noodles lies in their sauce: a blend of savory soy and oyster sauces, a touch of sweetness from sugar and sesame oil, and the earthy flavor of rehydrated shiitake mushrooms. Sautéeing the mushrooms, scallions, and garlic before tossing with noodles ensures balanced flavor throughout. Give your noodles a quick toss over high heat to absorb every bit of that savory sauce.

Assembling and Serving Longevity Noodles

Once the noodles are coated in the rich sauce, heap them onto a platter—try not to cut or break them if celebrating longevity! Garnish with extra scallions or toasted sesame seeds for extra flair. Serve as part of a celebratory spread or as a single star dish with a side of pickled vegetables.

Serving Suggestions for a Festive Main or Side

Longevity Noodles pair beautifully with steamed dumplings, sautéed Asian greens, or a crisp cucumber salad. To elevate the dish for a celebration, top with strips of omelet, lightly sautéed shrimp, or barbecue pork. Don’t forget a sprinkle of white pepper or crispy fried shallots to amp up the flavor and crunch!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each serving typically contains 350–400 calories, depending on the protein or toppings added. The dish is a wholesome choice, packed with mushrooms and greens, and easily modified to suit vegan or gluten-free preferences with a few swaps.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and future meal planning.

Instructions

1. Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for 20–30 minutes, then squeeze dry and slice thinly, reserving ½ cup of soaking liquid.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add Yi Mein noodles and cook according to package (usually 3–4 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking. Set aside.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high. Add garlic and scallion whites, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add sliced shiitake mushrooms and optional vegetables; stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until tender.
5. In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce, soy sauces, sugar, sesame oil, and ½ cup mushroom soaking liquid.
6. Add cooked noodles to the wok, pour in the sauce, and toss everything together over high heat until noodles are evenly coated and warmed through (2–3 minutes).
7. Toss in scallion greens, adjust seasoning if necessary, and remove from heat.
8. Transfer noodles to a serving platter, garnish with toasted sesame seeds and extra scallions. Serve immediately.

Weekly Meal Planning

Longevity Noodles are perfect for meal prepping and planning ahead. Simply save and schedule this recipe to map out the best days to enjoy it, automatically generate smart shopping lists, and see ingredient quantities summed across all scheduled recipes.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities if you’re making multiple recipes
• Organizes everything by grocery store section for faster trips
• Keeps you from forgetting any ingredient
• Makes weeknight cooking efficient and organized

Pro tip: If planning several dishes for the week, schedule your recipes in CookifyAI to see common ingredients added together—perfect for reducing food waste and saving time at the store.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (including soaking mushrooms)
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Enjoy these vibrant Longevity Noodles for your next family dinner or special celebration—a tasty, meaningful way to savor life’s milestones and everyday gatherings!