Cumin Lamb Noodles

The savory aroma of cumin-spiced lamb stir-fried with vibrant veggies and hand-pulled noodles is pure comfort food at its finest. Inspired by the bold street foods of Xi’an, this dish delivers big flavor with toasty spices, tender lamb, and chewy wide noodles that soak up every drop of seasoning.

If you’ve never tried making your own noodles at home, this is the perfect starting point. The dough is forgiving, and the hand-pulled process is both fun and rewarding. Paired with seared lamb and aromatic cumin, it creates a restaurant-worthy dish that’s easy to replicate in your own kitchen.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

For the noodles:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup water (plus more if needed)

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the lamb and sauce:

• 1 lb lamb leg or shoulder, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (optional)

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced

• 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional)

• 1/2 onion, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Combine flour, salt, and water in a mixing bowl. Knead for 10 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let rest for 1 hour.

2. Meanwhile, marinate lamb with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. Set aside for 20 minutes.

3. Toast cumin seeds and Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan until fragrant. Grind coarsely and mix with ground cumin and chili flakes.

4. Divide rested dough into 4 portions. Roll each into a rope and flatten slightly. Rest 10 minutes, then stretch and pull into wide noodles by hand.

5. Cook noodles in boiling salted water until tender, about 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

6. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add lamb and sear until browned. Remove and set aside.

7. In the same wok, sauté garlic, ginger, and fresh chili for 30 seconds. Add onion and bell pepper; stir-fry for 2 minutes.

8. Return lamb to the wok. Add the spice mix and stir well.

9. Toss in cooked noodles and cilantro. Stir-fry for 1 minute to combine.

10. Serve hot with extra chili oil if desired.

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Kcal: 540 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Introduction to Cumin Lamb Noodles

Cumin Lamb Noodles is a dish that beautifully captures the rich culinary heritage of Northwestern China, particularly the city of Xi’an, where bold spices and hearty ingredients come together in harmony. Often found sizzling on the streets of Xi’an, this dish combines stir-fried lamb with hand-torn or hand-pulled noodles, seasoned generously with toasted cumin seeds, chili flakes, and fragrant garlic. It’s a street food favorite, deeply satisfying, and packed with flavor and texture in every bite.

The dish is especially known for its vibrant spice profile, thanks to the aromatic cumin—a spice more commonly associated with Middle Eastern and Indian cooking but deeply rooted in the Chinese Muslim cuisine of the Hui minority. When paired with chili, Sichuan peppercorns, and seared lamb, cumin transforms a humble bowl of noodles into something exhilarating and deeply flavorful.

A Cultural Journey Through Flavor

Cumin Lamb Noodles isn’t just a recipe—it’s a culinary passport to the crossroads of the Silk Road. Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, became a melting pot of different spices and ingredients due to centuries of trade and cultural exchange. The presence of lamb, bold spices, and hand-pulled noodles all reflect this multicultural legacy.

In Northwestern China, particularly in provinces like Shaanxi and Gansu, lamb is a staple protein. These regions are home to large populations of Hui Muslims, whose food traditions include halal meats and liberal use of warming spices like cumin, fennel, and chili. These flavor preferences were integrated into local Chinese cuisine, creating iconic dishes like Cumin Lamb Noodles.

The Importance of Texture

One of the key highlights of this dish is the hand-torn or hand-pulled noodles. Known in Chinese as “biang biang mian,” these noodles are wide, chewy, and irregular in shape, which allows them to cling to the sauce and soak up all the flavors of the stir-fry. Making these noodles by hand gives the dish an artisanal quality and adds to its rustic charm.

The contrast between the tender, juicy lamb and the toothsome noodles is what makes each bite special. The lamb is usually thinly sliced, allowing it to sear quickly in the wok, locking in juices while developing a slightly crispy edge that adds texture and depth.

Signature Flavor Profile

The magic of Cumin Lamb Noodles lies in its spice mix. Cumin seeds are typically toasted in a dry pan to bring out their essential oils before being crushed and added to the dish. This technique amplifies the aroma and adds a warm, nutty flavor that’s both earthy and slightly citrusy.

The addition of dried chili flakes and optional Sichuan peppercorns creates a balance of heat and tingling numbness—a classic “mala” flavor combination prized in many Chinese dishes. Garlic and ginger further enhance the savory base, while onion and bell peppers add sweetness and crunch. The fresh cilantro sprinkled on top just before serving introduces a burst of freshness that lifts the heavy spices and rounds out the dish.

Why This Dish Stands Out

Cumin Lamb Noodles are a showstopper on any table. It’s a complete meal, offering protein, carbs, and vegetables all in one bowl. Unlike more delicate Chinese noodle dishes that rely on light broths or soy-based sauces, this one is robust, oily, and bold—making it perfect for those who crave deeply savory meals.

This dish is also incredibly customizable. Want more heat? Add extra chili. Prefer a touch of sweetness? Toss in some caramelized onions. Don’t eat lamb? Substitute with beef or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist. The spice blend can be scaled up or down, and the vegetables can be swapped based on what’s in season or what’s in your fridge.

Tips for Success

To really make this dish shine, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Use high heat when stir-frying. The sear on the lamb is crucial for texture and flavor.

• Toast the spices before using. This brings out the essential oils and creates a more fragrant dish.

• Let the dough rest if you’re making noodles from scratch. Resting makes it easier to stretch and pull without tearing.

• Slice the lamb thinly against the grain. This ensures tender bites and allows for quicker cooking.

If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought noodles (like wide udon or even fettuccine), but nothing compares to the authenticity of hand-pulled dough.

Nutrition and Dietary Considerations

Cumin Lamb Noodles is a hearty dish, with a moderate to high calorie count per serving—largely due to the lamb and the cooking oil used for stir-frying. However, it’s packed with protein, iron, and essential minerals from the lamb, and the vegetables add fiber and vitamins.

For those looking to reduce fat content, consider trimming excess fat from the lamb before cooking or reducing the amount of oil used. Additionally, whole wheat or high-protein noodles can be used as a more nutritious alternative to traditional white flour noodles.

The dish can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour for the noodles or opting for a gluten-free pasta alternative. Always check your soy sauce or substitute it with tamari to maintain gluten-free compliance.

The Comfort Food Appeal

This recipe checks all the boxes when it comes to comfort food. It’s filling, bold, and makes you want to go back for seconds. Whether it’s a chilly night or a weekend dinner with friends, Cumin Lamb Noodles brings warmth and flavor in every bowl. The spices not only excite the palate but also warm the body—making it ideal for winter meals or cozy nights indoors.

It also has a nostalgic quality for those familiar with Chinese street food or Xi’an cuisine. The sizzling sound of lamb hitting a hot wok, the aroma of toasted cumin drifting through the air, and the sight of glistening noodles being tossed with spice—it’s a sensory experience that’s hard to beat.

Conclusion

Cumin Lamb Noodles is more than just a dish—it’s a journey into the heart of regional Chinese cuisine. With its rich history, bold flavors, and hands-on preparation, it embodies everything great about cooking: storytelling, tradition, and taste. It invites both home cooks and food enthusiasts to slow down, engage with the ingredients, and create something truly satisfying from scratch.

Whether you’re recreating a memory from your travels or discovering this dish for the first time, one thing is certain: Cumin Lamb Noodles will leave a lasting impression. It’s a recipe that deserves a permanent place in your culinary rotation—not just for its flavors, but for the cultural experience it brings to your table.