Misua

{{Short description|Type of Chinese wheat noodles}} {{Distinguish|Misua (drag queen)}} {{More citations needed|date=August 2018}} {{Italic title}} {{Infobox food | name = ''Misua'' | image = Food 四維紅麵線, 台北, 台灣, Taipei, Taiwan (46140078351).jpg | caption = ''Misua'' noodles from Taiwan | alternate_name = Wheat vermicelli | country = China | region = Fujian | creator = | course = | type = Chinese noodles | served = | main_ingredient = Wheat flour | variations = | calories = | other = | module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes|t={{linktext|麵線}}|s=面线|p=miànxiàn|l=noodle threads|poj=mī-sòaⁿ|khm=មីសួ (mii suə)}} }}

'''Misua''' (also spelled '''miswa''') is an extremely thin type of noodle made from wheat flour. It is common in East and Southeast Asia, especially in China, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, and Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raymund |date=2011-01-01 |title=Misua |url=http://www.angsarap.net/2011/01/01/misua-2/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Ang Sarap (A Tagalog word for "It's Delicious") |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

Misua noodles are very delicate and cook in less than two minutes. They are often used in soups or lightly boiled dishes. The noodles are known for breaking easily if overcooked.{{citation needed|date=January 2026}}

== History == Misua originated in Fujian, China, where thin wheat noodles have been a staple for centuries. The noodle is traditionally associated with longevity and is often served during birthdays, festivals, and other celebrations to symbolize a long life.<ref>Maja Noodles. "History of Misua." https://www.majanoodles.com.tw/en/about-1.php</ref> Chinese immigrants brought misua to Southeast Asia, where it was adapted into local cuisines. In the Philippines, misua became integrated into both home cooking and ceremonial meals, often eaten with chicken, pork, or seafood in festive soups. The adaptation demonstrates how Chinese culinary traditions influenced Filipino food culture over the centuries.{{citation needed|date=January 2026}}

== Types == [[File:澎湖西衛麵線 (3).jpg|thumb|left|''Misua'' being made in Penghu, Taiwan]] In Taiwan, there are two forms of ''misua''. The first is plain, while the second has been steamed at high heat, caramelizing it to a light brown colour. For birthdays, plain ''misua'' is usually served plain with pork hocks ({{lang|zh-Hant|猪腳麵線}}) in stewed broth as a Taiwanese birthday tradition. Brown ''misua'' can be cooked for prolonged periods without disintegrating in the cooking broth and is used in oyster vermicelli ({{lang|zh-Hant|蚵仔麵線}}), a dish popular in Taiwan.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}

==Culture== ''Misua'' is cooked during important festivities, and eaten in China as well in Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, and particularly in both Taiwan and the Philippines.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}

''Misua'' signifies long life in Chinese culture, and as such is a traditional birthday food. Because of this, it is often discouraged to chew or cut ''misua'' noodles.<ref name="MisuaLongLife">{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2020 |title=LIST: 'Lucky food' to prepare for Chinese New year, and why |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/list-lucky-food-chinese-new-year/ |access-date=August 18, 2022}}</ref> It is usually served with ingredients such as eggs, tofu, bell peppers,<ref name="MisuaLongLife" /> oysters, pig's large intestine,<ref name="Cosmo 2017"/> sponge gourd (known as ''patola'' in the Philippines),<ref name="MisuaPatola">{{Cite web |title=Misua Patola |url=https://www.maggi.ph/recipes/misua-patola |website=Maggi Philippines}}</ref> shiitake mushroom, beef, shallots, or scallions, roasted nuts or fried fish.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}} {{clear}}

== Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" widths="130px" heights="130px"> Food (24908816444).jpg|Taiwanese oyster misua File:Food (43938724084).jpg|With pork intestines Food 綜合麵線, 麵線傳奇, 台北 (22744875453).jpg Miswajf7582.JPG|With Filipino bola-bola Misua noodles.jpg|Fried ''misua'' with vegetables File:Red Rice Wine Misua.jpg|With red rice wine and chicken </gallery>

==See also== {{Portal|Food}} * Chinese noodles * List of noodles * Longevity noodles * Pancit * Sōmen * Vermicelli

==References== <references> <ref name="Cosmo 2017">{{cite book | last=Cosmo | first=S. | title=The Ultimate Pasta and Noodle Cookbook | publisher=Cider Mill Press | year=2017 | isbn=978-1-60433-733-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AcOZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA92 | access-date=4 January 2020 | page=92}}</ref> </references>

Category:Chinese noodles Category:Fujian cuisine Category:Filipino cuisine Category:Taiwanese cuisine Category:Burmese noodle dishes Category:Wheat dishes