🍽️ Shrimp Roe Noodle

River shrimp roe over noodles, Wuhu classic.

Shrimp-roe noodle is an old Wuhu, Anhui tradition, seasoned for umami with Yangtze river shrimp roe. Dried roe of freshwater shrimp is simmered to release a savory oil or sprinkled straight into the broth; the tiny roe grains are packed with umami and instantly lift a plain noodle soup. Chewy water noodles are served in a broth of shrimp roe, soy sauce and lard, with roe flecks floating on top. The noodles are smooth, the roe fragrant and faintly granular, and the light soup has a long savory finish. A classic breakfast at old Wuhu noodle shops, modest in price but distinctive in freshness, it embodies the riverside wisdom of using tiny ingredients to create big flavor.