Noodles

food · history · world cultures

Made from dough. Most noodles start with unleavened dough that gets rolled flat and then cut into long strips or strings. Some noodles are stretched or pushed through special machines to get their shape.

Popular worldwide. Noodles are a staple food in many cultures, but the most famous types come from China and Italy. Italian noodles are usually called pasta.

Different ingredients. Chinese noodles can be made from wheat dough, but they can also come from a starchy mixture made with rice or other grains. This means not all noodles are made the same way, even if they look similar.

Many shapes. Noodles come in tons of different shapes and sizes depending on where they're from and what dish they're used in. Some are thin and delicate, while others are thick and chewy.