Shaanxi Saozi Mian (陕西臊子面)

For the meat sauce

• 1/4 cup neutral cooking oil any neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, generic cooking oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 star anise
• 3 bay leaves dried
• 2 tablespoons ginger (minced)
• 1 pound pork belly cut into 1/2 inch pieces, or boneless country ribs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan chili flakes (or to taste)
• 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
• 1 1/2 teaspoons five spice powder
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce light
• 1/3-1/2 cup Chinese black vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar

For the egg omelette:

• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 egg large
• 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil

For the soup base and noodles:

• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 1/2 cup carrot (diced into 1/2 inch cubes)
• 2/3 cup potato (diced into 1/2 inch cubes)
• 1 1/2 cups wood ear mushroom 10g dried; rinsed and torn into small pieces after reconstituting, rehydrated
• 1/4 cup lily flower cut into 1-inch pieces, rehydrated dried
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 8 cups chicken stock alternatively, 4 cups chicken stock and 4 cups water, homemade
• 8 fried soy puffs (cut into quarters)
• salt to taste
• 5 ervings wheat noodles or rice noodles, if you need a gluten-free option, thin
• 1/3 cup garlic chives (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
• 1 scallion (finely chopped)
• Chili oil optional, to taste, homemade