The noodle is a staple food made from unleavened dough which is rolled flat and cut into one of a variety of shapes. While long thin strips may be the most common, many varieties of noodles are cut into waves, helices, tubes, strings, shells, folded over, or cut into other shapes.

Noodles are usually cooked in boiling water, sometimes with cooking oil or salt added, but are often pan fried or deep fried. Noodles can be refrigerated for short-term storage, or dried and stored for future use. The English word “noodle” derived from the German Nudel denotes the texture and culinary use of noodle.

In 2002, archaeologists found an earthenware bowl containing the world’s oldest known noodles, measured to roughly 4000 years along the Yellow River in China. The noodles were found well-preserved.

The earliest written record of noodles is found in a book dated to the Eastern Han period (25–220) of China. Noodles, often made from wheat dough, became a staple food for people of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE).

Instant noodles were invented and marketed in Japan in 1958. The bundle of fresh noodles are flash-fried to dry them out and provide a long shelf life.

Basic noodles: These are cooked in water or broth, then drained. Other foods can be added to it or the noodles are added to other foods or the noodles can be served plain with a dipping sauce or oil to be added at the table. In general, noodles are soft and absorb flavors.

Frozen noodles: noodles are sometimes served in a salad.

Fried noodles: dishes made of noodles stir fried with various meats, seafood, vegetables, and dairy products.

Noodle soup: noodles served in broth.

Cup noodles are served in easy to eat from cups.

Instant noodles are popular and tasty food.