Stir-Fried Noodles! The Iconic Dish Embedded in Sanya Culture

  As a beloved and iconic dish embedded in Sanya's culture, stir-fried noodles make an appearance on local dining tables every day. Whether it's morning, noon, or night, or even a late-night snack, locals can satisfy their cravings by popping into one of the many unassuming shops dotted around the city. Whether it's morning, noon, or night, or even a late-night snack, locals can satisfy their cravings by popping into one of the many unassuming shops dotted around the city!

  01 (Dry) Stir-Fried Noodles

  Hainan's stir-fried noodles are known for their rich and diverse range of ingredients. The most commonly used ingredients include lean meat, beef, eggs, bean sprouts, shredded squid, and ham sausage. However, depending on individual preferences, different ingredients such as pork feet, rice sausages, and Chinese preserved sausages can also be added. Regardless of the combination, skilled chefs can always serve up a bowl of stir-fried noodles that will satisfy your cravings. The key to making dry stir-fried noodles is to use high heat and quick stirring. A true master of stir-fried noodles can cook the dish until each strand is distinct and chewy. When freshly cooked, the noodles glisten with oil, yet leave no oily residue. The taste is dry and fragrant with a pleasant chewiness, a hint of the wok's aroma, and a whiff of rice fragrance!

  02 Wet Stir-Fried Noodles

  If you're in Sanya, trying out the stir-fried noodles is a must, but if you're looking for a more authentic and elevated culinary experience, then "wet stir-fried noodles" is the way to go! What sets this dish apart is the addition of a thick and savory sauce, poured over the stir-fried noodles. The sauce is made using a variety of ingredients and is thickened with cornstarch, creating a more intense and complex flavor compared to the dry version. Each restaurant has its own secret recipe for the sauce, resulting in unique characteristics that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether it is slightly sweet or savory, as long as it is poured over the noodles, it is the unmistakable taste of old Hainan!

  03 Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

  The stir-fried noodles we usually eat, also known as "stir-fried ho fun," differ from stir-fried rice noodles mainly in terms of the shape and texture of the noodles. Ho fun is flat and long, resembling noodles, with a white and translucent texture that is chewy and smooth. Rice noodles, on the other hand, are cylindrical in shape, with a soft and resilient texture that is not easily broken. When stir-fried with a variety of vegetables, they are delicious without being sticky or greasy.

  There are many, many stir-fried noodle shops in Sanya. Some have been around for decades, while others are hidden in alleys without even a name. They may not have a fixed opening time, and may even close unexpectedly, but they are free and easy, yet boast an irresistible fragrance. For many people, stir-fried noodles may seem ordinary and unremarkable, but for the people of Sanya, it is a soul-soothing homely feeling that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere with just one bite.