For my project, I decided to invite one of my best friends, Regan, over to help me make garlic chili oil noodles. My family doesn’t cook much, so I rarely have home-cooked meals, but Regan’s family eats almost solely at home. During the summer, I was one of the few people Regan hung out with because of the pandemic. Her family would always invite my family and I over to eat their home-cooked Chinese food. There was one day when Regan and I were with our other friend, Moochan, and we decided we would all try cooking together at my house despite Regan being the only one who actually cooks frequently. Moochan almost never makes food, while I like cooking, but usually don’t have many ingredients at home. Regan assists her parents in the kitchen almost daily and has done so throughout her upbringing. We headed to H-Mart and bought plenty of items so we could make a feast consisting of both Korean barbeque and traditional Chinese food - a mix of all three of our cultures, as Moochan is Korean American, Regan is Chinese and Taiwanese American, and I’m Chinese American. We arrived home and began cooking, with Regan heading everything while Moochan and I helped with the basics. This was the first time Regan made this noodle recipe for my family. Moochan and I watched in awe as she expertly sliced the scallions and confidently dealt with the hot oil. We had a lot of other food that night, too, but something about the noodles was unforgettable. It was a fairly simple process, but I was still wowed by it. When we all came back home for winter break, Regan visited and made this dish for us all once again. I’d had this type of a dish at noodle restaurants before, but I think there’s always something a bit different and special when it’s made at home by loved ones. Moreover, it was especially close to my heart, as not only did my family also enjoy the meals we made, but Regan, Moochan, and I all go to school in completely different sections of the country, with Regan at the University of Michigan, Moochan at the University of Southern California, and me at Emory. These noodles helped bring us together right before we left for college, as well as when we returned. Thus, as soon as I learned of what this project would entail, Regan’s noodles were the first thing I thought of. Although a fairly simple recipe, these Chinese garlic chili oil noodles are good for both the body and the heart, and will allow both your physical health and personal relationships to be rejuvenated.

Chinese food is often noted for its multitudes of health benefits, and these classic garlic chili oil noodles are no exception. In Chinese culture it is extremely important to always have some sort of fan, or grain-based food, whether it’s the typical white rice or, in this case, noodles. With this recipe, you have the freedom to choose your noodles, so that part isn’t as crucial to the health benefits as the sauce is. In terms of yin and yang, these noodles would definitely qualify as a yang, or warming food, with the chili powder, garlic, sesame, etc. The soy sauce is considered yin, but I would recommend pairing these noodles with a refreshing cucumber salad or other such ‘cooling’ foods in order to actually have a balanced meal in terms of yin and yang. The real health, however, lies within the previously mentioned spice and garlic. Many people within Chinese culture believe spicy foods to be good for longevity. It is also perceived to increase and speed up the rate of one’s metabolism, which can be good for low-level weight control. Lastly, it’s thought to be good for reducing inflammation and, overall, lowering one’s chances of becoming sick. However, everything must be taken in moderation, of course. Consuming too much spicy food, especially if it’s unbalanced in regards to the body’s yin and yang equilibrium, is not good for you and may damage your body. Meanwhile, garlic is also commended for its medicinal properties, as well as its nutritional benefits. Known for its signature pungent and intense flavors, the acidity in these little cloves are thought to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, thus lowering the risk of heart disease, as well as boosting longevity, similar to spicy foods. Overall, this dish is fantastic for its various advantages, and while it should still, of course, be eaten in moderation, it’s a quick and easy meal that can be made if you’re craving something spicy, especially during flu season.

This dish is one that can help bring you together with those you love. There’s something great about cooking with your family and/or friends that is a completely different vibe to cooking by yourself, even if you’re cooking for others. Because of the ease of this dish, it’s also one you can easily demonstrate to others and ask for help, even if it’s something as simple as having them add the liquid ingredients to the sauce or just mix the noodles at the end. The only thing to stay cautious of is the hot oil, as it can splatter quite a bit if you aren’t careful pouring it. Overall, though, this dish is a fantastic dish for a quick and simple lunch or dinner with others. In addition to the communal aspect of this dish, and Chinese cuisine in general, serving this to your friends and family will show them how much you care about them, given its multitude of nutritional purposes. I had a lot of fun being able to invite Regan over, who I hadn’t seen in 4 ½ months, to learn how to make the dish in-depth and be able to cook with her. Moreover, we gave the best serving to my mom at the end, and I could see how happy and loved it made her feel to receive our ‘perfect’ plate. As a whole, this project gave me a lot of insight into my culture and I’m extremely joyous to be able to know how to cook a Chinese noodle dish by myself now! I’ve always been a bit fearful of growing up and eventually, if I have kids, not being able to cook Chinese food for them and them losing the culture I have grown to love so much. While I clearly have a long way to go before I can make a proper meal with a diverse set of dishes, this is a step in the right direction, and has inspired me to try to learn how to cook a greater variety of Chinese food.