What is laghman?
Laghman (新疆拌面, Xinjiang Ban Mian) is a traditional noodle dish originating in the Xinjiang region, which is home to a significant Uyghur population. Laghman usually uses freshly made noodles served with a sauce of stir fried meat and vegetables. The stir-fry often includes ingredients like onions, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, and is seasoned with cumin and chili flakes. The combination of these vegetables with the meat creates a rich and flavorful sauce. This dish reflects the cultural blend of Central Asian and Chinese influences that characterize Uyghur cuisine.
Ingredients for laghman
What type of noodles to use in laghman?
The best type of noodles to use in laghman are fresh homemade noodles. Either hand pulled noodles or rolled noodles work well. If you do not have time to make homemade noodles, don’t worry! A lot of store-bought wheat noodles work really well in this dish, as well. I used Havista brand “Wife’s Noodles”, which is a type of wheat noodle that has a similar shape to spaghetti. They are thick enough for a chewy texture, and thin enough to soak up the tomato sauce. You can find these noodles in the refrigerated or freezer section at large Asian grocery stores and Chinese markets. Dried noodles such as udon noodles or noodles that have a similar shape work nicely as well. The main ingredients should be wheat and water.
What cut of lamb to use?
Lamb leg is my favorite cut to use in laghman. It’s very flavorful and just fatty enough to be juicy and tender. Alternatively, you can also try it with lamb stew meat. For a cheaper option, it’s also great to use ground lamb. Ground lamb is easier to source, stays tender during cooking, and creates amazing flavor as well.
Can I use a different meat for laghman?
Xinjiang cuisine is quite famous for using lamb and it’s a staple in many dishes. But if you do not want to use lamb, beef is a great alternative in this dish. The flavors of the dish work really well with cuts of beef such as flank steak, or ground beef.
Mise en place
When you’re ready to cook, your table should have:
Marinated lamb Diced tomato (or canned tomato) Sliced red onion Sliced pepper Noodles Sliced garlic Chinese chili flakes Tomato paste Cumin powder Soy sauce Salt and sugar
How to cook laghman
Cooking laghman is quite easy once you have all the ingredients gathered: While the sauce is cooking, you should also boil the noodles on the side, so everything will be done around the same time.
How to serve laghman
To serve laghman, simply place the noodles in individual bowls and add plenty of lamb sauce. Stir everything together and enjoy it as a main dish. In China, laghman is a dish we usually order from small hole-in-the-wall diners for a quick lunch. Sometimes the restaurant might bring out pickles or a simple cucumber salad to go along with it. At home, this is a hearty dish you can serve for lunch or dinner. The sauce can be easily made ahead of time and served later, making it perfect for meal prep as well.
Other delicious noodle dishes
Biang Biang Noodles (Yu Po Mian) Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodle (葱油拌面) Chongqing Noodles (重庆小面) Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup (兰州拉面) Green Bean Noodles (豆角焖面)
