Garlic Noodles (Vietnamese: Mì Tỏi, pronounced [mi˧˩ tɔj˧˩]) is a noodle dish that originated in San Francisco, California. Created by Chef Helene An in 1975, the dish is known for its rich garlic flavor, and has become a popular item in Vietnamese, Asian-fusion, and mainstream eateries across the United States.
 Garlic Noodles | |
| Alternative names | AN's Famous Garlic Noodles®, San Fransisco Garlic Noodles[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Noodle |
| Region or state | San Francisco |
| Created by | Helene An |
| Main ingredients | Roasted Garlic & AN's Secret Sauce |
History
editGarlic Noodles were created by Helene An at Thanh Long, a Vietnamese restaurant located in San Francisco.[2] Chef An, who immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 1975, sought to create a dish that would appeal to American tastes while incorporating traditional Vietnamese flavors. The result was Garlic Noodles, which blend Vietnamese and Italian culinary techniques. The dish became a signature offering at Thanh Long and is typically paired with seafood, such as whole roasted Dungeness crab and butterflied prawns.[3]
Popularity
editSince its creation, Garlic Noodles have been adapted by various restaurants and chefs across the United States. Different variations of the dish, such as Spicy Garlic Noodles and Soy Butter Garlic Noodles, have emerged in numerous Asian-fusion restaurants. The dish's influence expanded when it was featured by Chef J. Kenji López-Alt in The New York Times, further popularizing the recipe among a broader audience.[4]
Garlic Noodles became especially well-known at Thanh Long, where they contributed to the restaurant's growing reputation for seafood in the 1980s. High-profile patrons, including celebrities, were regular visitors, which increased the dish's visibility. By the late 1980s, the success of Thanh Long helped propel the An family's expansion into other restaurants, such as Crustacean in San Francisco and Beverly Hills.[5] Garlic Noodles are now referred to as San Francisco Garlic Noodles, and considered a classic dish at Vietnamese and Asian restaurants nationally.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Smelly Lunchbox (December 17, 2021). "Garlic Noodles". Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "ThanhLong – San Francisco Restaurant – Roast Crab & Garlic Noodles | The first An family restaurant and home of their Secret Kitchen with Famous Roast Crab & Garlic Noodles". thanhlongsf.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Tsai, Luke (2021-08-10). "How Garlic Noodles Became One of the Bay Area's Most Iconic Foods | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "San Francisco-Style Vietnamese American Garlic Noodles Recipe". NYT Cooking. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Saxe, Lizzy (2019-05-13). "Selling Garlic Noodles to the Rich and Famous". Eater. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ smellylunchbox (2021-12-17). "San Francisco-style (the BEST) garlic noodles — smelly lunchbox". smellylunchbox.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.