Birthday (Seafood) Longevity Noodles

Back in Singapore, these are sometimes called “Birthday noodles”. You see… noodles represent long life in Chinese heritage and tradition has it that you should eat noodles for longevity and blessings on your birthday. My son recently turned 1 and to continue the tradition, I cooked these seafood longevity noodles. It was well-loved and he devoured the entire bowl! I’m pretty sure he had fun slurping up the long noodles.

Chinese birthday noodles, also known as longevity noodles or "yi mein," are a traditional dish symbolizing long life and are often served during birthday celebrations and other significant occasions. Here's a simple recipe to prepare these auspicious noodles:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 white onion, diced

• 5 Shiitake mushrooms thinly sliced (soaked in hot water until softened)

• A handful of Chinese chives or french ciboulette/cébette (cut into 2 inches long strips with light and dark green parts separated)

• 3 garlic cloves, minced finely

• King prawns, Scallops & Squid

• 1 packet of Yi Mein noodles

• 1 tsp sugar

• A pinch of salt, or to taste

• 2 tsp hot water

• 2 tsp soy sauce

• 2 tsp dark soy sauce

• 2 tsp oyster sauce

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• Freshly ground white or black pepper

• 3-4 tsp vegetable oil

• ⅛ teaspoon sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 1 tablespoon hot water

Instructions:

1. In a pot, boil water and add Yi Mein noodles only when water is boiling. Cooking it al dente like how you would cook pasta. Approximately 5 minutes, you want the noodles to be firm and chewy. Overcooking makes the noodles mushy.

2. When noodles are done, drain and leave it aside.

3. Dissolve sugar and salt in hot water and add in soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil and stir until well combined.

4. Heat the wok and add in 2 tsp of vegetable oil and then add in mushrooms and light green parts of the chopped chives. Stir fry aromatics.

5. Add in all seafood and stir fry until semi-cooked

6. Add the noodles. They should still be warm and then stir fry everything for a minute.

7. Spread the prepared sauce mixture evenly over noodles and stir fry everything together for a few minutes or until the sauce mixture is evenly distributed. Taste and add more soy sauce or salt and pepper to your liking.

8. Add in remaining chopped green parts of the chives and stir fry for another minute before serving.

These longevity noodles are not only delicious but also rich in cultural significance, symbolizing a wish for a long and healthy life​Longevity noodles should taste salty and slightly sweet and you can also eat with a side of pickled green chillies dipped in light soy sauce for added umami flavour.