Misua

Misua is a delicate, salted noodle made from wheat flour, originating from Fujian, China. Unlike other noodles, such as mifen and cellophane noodles, which are derived from rice and mung beans respectively, misua is crafted from wheat flour. One of its distinguishing features is its rapid cooking time—typically less than two minutes in boiling water.

This noodle holds significant cultural value and is a staple in various celebrations. Misua is prevalent in China, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, and the Philippines. In Chinese culture, misua is particularly symbolic as it represents longevity, making it a traditional choice for birthday celebrations.

Misua is often combined with a variety of ingredients to create flavorful dishes. Common accompaniments include eggs, oysters, pig's large intestine, shiitake mushrooms, beef, shallots, scallions, roasted nuts, and fried fish.

In Taiwan, misua is available in two primary variations: plain and brown. Plain misua is typically served with pork hocks in a stewed broth as part of a Taiwanese birthday tradition. Conversely, brown misua, which undergoes steaming to achieve a light brown color, is more robust and can withstand prolonged cooking without disintegrating. This makes it ideal for dishes such as oyster vermicelli.