This recipe for longevity noodles is based on the traditional Lunar New Year dish that brings you good luck and long life…if you don’t break the noodles!

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Why we love this recipe
This super satisfying Chinese noodle dish is Lunar New Year favorite, and yes, the idea is that they bring good luck, prosperity and long life…especially if you don’t break or bite the noodles!
There are so many different ways to make this delectable dish – and obviously this Irish girl has taken some liberties with the details! – but the important part is that this is a hearty, slightly spicy bowl of noodles enhanced with chicken, tender sliced cabbage and sassy scallions.
I always make it around the Lunar New Year, and a few times at other times of the year because it is just so completely satisfying when you want a flavor-packed noodle supper!
What are longevity noodles?
This delectable traditional dish is made with long noodles (I used linguine, but you can use Chinese egg noodles, lo mein or any other long noodle) that are cooked and then stir-fried with simple flavors like scallions and garlic and ginger and then stir-fried with soy sauce and red pepper.
Mushrooms are sometimes a staple in these noodles, but since we are not a mushroom loving crowd here in the Carolina Dream House, I used chicken which added a nice hit of protein, along with some sliced cabbage and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Ingredients you need
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe
My step-by-step process is in the pictures and the recipe below, but here are a few of my best hints for this recipe!
First and most importantly, don’t break the noodles!
Second, and I can’t stress this one enough, measure out and line up your ingredients in the order in which you are going to use them. When this recipe gets going it moves FAST, and you want to be ready!
(Honestly, I do this with every single recipe I make, and for ones like this I love having prep bowls of all sizes to help out.)
Third, if you don’t have a wok (I don’t!), a large skillet is going to work just fine.
Last but definitely not least, for any and all recipes involving soy sauce, I highly recommend going for the low sodium kind. You can always add salt but it’s pretty impossible to take it out. (I speak from, um, experience.) Here goes!
STEP 1: Put some cut-up boneless chicken in a bowl with some ginger, rice wine, cornstarch, soy sauce and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
STEP 2: While the chicken is marinating, cook up some linguine, drain it under cold water and pop it in a bowl with some sesame oil. Give it a good toss.
STEP 3: Heat a skillet over high heat, add some canola oil and a little red pepper, give it all a stir and then add the chicken in a single layer as best you can. Let it sear for a minute, then toss it with tongs until it is cooked through, about another 2 minutes.
STEP 4: Add some chopped cabbage and toss it until the cabbage starts with wilt.
STEP 5: Add the noodles, a little more wine and soy sauce and some scallions. Toss it with tongs until everything is heated through.
Now dish it out, sprinkle with sesame seeds and you are ready to dig in!
Equipment we used for this recipe
These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!
- Cutting Board: We love these sturdy, dishwasher safe cutting boards that come in all sizes.
- Large Skillet: If you don’t have a wok 🙋🏼♀️ this skillet will work just fine!
- Measuring Cup: We love these angled cups that show the measurements on both the inside and the outside of the cup.
- Mixing Bowls: These bowls have a handy handle to hold on to when you are mixing things up.
- Prep Bowls: I could not LIVE without these handy little bowls. Perfect for organizing ingredients.
- Tongs: These are just right for mixing up everything from these noodles to our favorite steak Caesar salad!
So if you want to welcome Lunar New Year or a birthday or any other special occasion with a little extra luck…longevity noodles! Just remember not to bite them. :)
Other noodle recipes we love!
We want to know what you think!
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.
PrintLongevity Noodles
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5 from 2 reviews
This recipe for longevity noodles is based on the traditional Lunar New Year dish that brings you good luck and long life…if you don’t break the noodles!
- Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons rice wine (you can sub in sherry if you need to)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- Sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
- 6 scallions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Put chicken in a mixing bowl with the ginger, 1 tablespoon rice wine, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
- Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain under cold water, dump back in the pot and toss with the sesame oil.
- Heat a heavy deep skillet (or a wok if you have one!) over high heat. Add the canola oil and the red pepper, give it all a stir and then add the chicken mixture, trying for a single layer as best you can. Let it sear for a minute without stirring it, then toss the chicken with tongs until it is cooked through, about another 2 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and toss for another minute or two until it starts to wilt. Add the noodles, the remaining wine and soy sauce and the scallions and toss until heated through. Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Divide among plates, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve, and try not to bite the noodles!
Judy says
I have never written a review on a recipe, but I had to for this one.Delicious!!! I had been looking for a recipe to celebrate the Lunar New Year with ingredients I had on hand. I had fresh pasta & used a bag of cole slaw. Thanks so much!
Judy! This brought a big smile to my face – and of course cole slaw would be perfect in place of the Napa cabbage. Happy Lunar New Year! :) :)
Martha in KS says
Your Mama looks like an Irish lady out of central casting! I’m making this over the weekend – subbing a bag of coleslaw mix for the Napa cabbage, because it’s what I’ve got. Happy VD.
Doesn’t she though?I’m going to add the coleslaw mix idea to the recipe – hope your Valentine’s weekend was wonderful! xo