8 Noodles Cooking Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Recommended by Andy Ricker, Chris Cosentino, and John Burnmurdoch, these books unlock authentic noodle cooking secrets.

Chris Cosentino
John Burnmurdoch
Updated on June 24, 2025
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What if you could unlock the secrets behind some of the world’s most beloved noodle dishes? Noodles aren’t just food; they’re a gateway into rich cultures, stories, and traditions that span continents. From bustling street stalls in Xi’an to the heart of Italy’s pasta kitchens, the art of noodle cooking offers endless fascination — and delicious rewards.

Chefs like Andy Ricker, a James Beard Award-winner known for his mastery of Southeast Asian cuisine, discovered new depths in noodles at New York’s Xi’an Famous Foods. Similarly, Chris Cosentino, a culinary innovator, praises Missy Robbins’s dedication to pasta craftsmanship that elevates home cooking to fine art. Meanwhile, data journalist John Burnmurdoch has found joy in the authentic home-cooked pasta traditions captured by Pasta Grannies, highlighting how noodles connect us beyond the kitchen.

These expert-curated books provide tested techniques and inspiring stories, but if you’re looking to tailor your journey — whether it’s mastering ramen broths, perfecting pasta dough, or exploring pho’s nuances — consider creating a personalized Noodles Cooking book that matches your experience and goals. This collection is your gateway to noodles mastery, blending tradition, technique, and culture.

Best for authentic Western Chinese noodles
Andy Ricker, a James Beard Award-winning chef known for his expertise in Southeast Asian cuisine, found himself captivated by Xi’an Famous Foods when he moved to New York to open Pok Pok. The intense, spicy, and herbaceous flavors of Xi’an cuisine challenged and delighted him, leading to a deep appreciation for its unique noodle dishes. He shares, "When I moved to New York to open Pok Pok, I ate at Xi’an Famous Foods probably two or three times a week for months... and I'm happy to say that Jason has revealed all!" This book not only delivers recipes but unlocks the secrets behind those unforgettable flavors. Following him, Richard Blais, acclaimed author and chef, praises the cookbook for bringing one of the most craveable restaurant concepts into home kitchens, emphasizing how it levels up any cook's repertoire.

Recommended by Andy Ricker

James Beard Award-winning chef and author

When I moved to New York to open Pok Pok, I ate at Xi’an Famous Foods probably two or three times a week for months, working my way through the menu of dishes that were unknown to me at that time but came blazing right up my alley. The spicy, herbaceous, meaty flavors and textures of Xi'an cuisine bowled me over; I was hooked. Today, I no longer live in NYC and one of the things I miss the most are XFF Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles, so when Jason sent me this book I hoped to find the secrets that would allow me to replicate that haunting flavor here in the cold Pacific Northwest . . . and I'm happy to say that Jason has revealed all!

What happens when a deep connection to family recipes meets the vibrant street food culture of Xi’an? Jason Wang, who grew up immersed in his father's kitchen and later expanded a single Flushing stall into a New York City culinary staple, shares not just recipes but the story behind each dish. You gain detailed insights into crafting authentic Western Chinese noodle dishes like Liang Pi “Cold Skin Noodles” and Spicy Cumin Lamb, alongside the cultural context that shapes these flavors. Chapters unfold with a mix of vivid photography and personal anecdotes, making it clear this book suits anyone eager to master distinctive noodle dishes rooted in tradition and innovation.

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Best for Italian pasta craftsmanship
Chris Cosentino, a chef known for blending culinary artistry with innovation, shared how Missy Robbins's book reignited his passion for pasta. He said, "I am beyond excited to have received this amazing book from Missy Robbins. Her dedication to the art of pasta and love of the craft is infectious." This endorsement matters because Cosentino’s experience with diverse cuisines sets a high bar for authenticity and technique. Additionally, Massimo Bottura, a three-Michelin-star chef, praised the book’s detailed approach to the craft, highlighting how it inspires mastery. Their combined respect underscores the book’s depth and its place as a definitive guide for serious pasta enthusiasts.
CC

Recommended by Chris Cosentino

Chef and culinary innovator

I am beyond excited to have received this amazing book from Missy Robbins. Her dedication to the art of pasta and love of the craft is infectious. Thank you for sharing this with the world. (from X)

2021·416 pages·Noodles Cooking, Italian Cooking, Pasta Cooking, Handmade Pasta, Regional Italian

Missy Robbins, a James Beard Award-winning chef renowned for her acclaimed New York restaurants Lilia and Misi, brings decades of hands-on Italian pasta mastery to this book. You’ll explore detailed techniques for crafting 40 pasta shapes, accompanied by 100 recipes spanning Italian American classics to regional specialties and modern innovations. Robbins’s approach demystifies pasta making, whether rolling fresh sheets or stamping Corzetti with goat cheese, offering both inspiration and precise guidance. If you’re eager to deepen your pasta skills and embrace Italy’s culinary traditions at home, this book offers a rich, approachable path. However, casual cooks looking for quick meals may find it more demanding than typical cookbooks.

James Beard Award Nominee
IACP Award Finalist
Recognized by San Francisco Chronicle
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Best for personalized cooking plans
This AI-created book on noodles mastery is crafted based on your cooking background and the specific noodle techniques you want to develop. You share your experience level and the noodle styles that interest you most, along with your culinary goals. The book is then created to focus exactly on the skills and recipes that matter most to you, making your learning journey both relevant and rewarding.
2025·50-300 pages·Noodles Cooking, Recipe Techniques, Dough Preparation, Broth Crafting, Regional Varieties

This tailored exploration delves into the art of noodle cooking, offering a personalized journey that matches your background and culinary interests. It covers noodle preparation techniques, diverse recipes, and cultural contexts, allowing you to develop mastery over textures, flavors, and traditional methods. The approach is tailored to focus on your specific goals, whether it's perfecting ramen broths, crafting handmade pasta, or understanding regional noodle traditions. By synthesizing knowledge from global noodle cuisines, this book provides a curated pathway to deepen your skills with clear, step-by-step guidance that embraces the nuances of noodle artistry. It reveals techniques and recipes that resonate with your individual taste and experience, making the learning process both engaging and effective.

Tailored Guide
Culinary Synthesis
3,000+ Books Created
Best for illustrated ramen techniques
Tory Miller, a James Beard Award-winning chef and noodle expert, praises this book for balancing ramen's rich tradition with accessible instructions that empower you to craft unique bowls at home. Miller appreciates how it bridges cultural heritage and practical cooking, making ramen approachable without losing its essence. His endorsement highlights why this book resonates with both newcomers and seasoned cooks. Similarly, Keizo Shimamoto, chef and owner of Ramen Shack, calls it a "ramen revelation," celebrating its technique coverage and etiquette insights. These respected voices underscore the book's role in deepening your ramen knowledge and culinary confidence.

Recommended by Tory Miller

James Beard Award-Winning Chef and Noodle Slinger

What I love about Let’s Make Ramen! is that it touches on the tradition of ramen, while giving people practical means to recreate their own unique bowls at home.

Let's Make Ramen!: A Comic Book Cookbook book cover

by Hugh Amano, Sarah Becan··You?

2019·192 pages·Noodles Cooking, Japanese Cooking, Asian Cooking, Broth Preparation, Noodle Making

Hugh Amano's culinary and cultural curiosity shines through in this lively comic book cookbook, which breaks down the art of ramen into approachable steps. You’ll explore recipes for broths like Shio and Tonkotsu, learn to make homemade noodles, and discover toppings such as Chashu and Onsen Eggs, all illustrated in a playful, graphic format that demystifies traditional Japanese techniques. This book suits anyone from curious beginners to seasoned cooks who want to grasp ramen’s history alongside practical cooking tips, making it a unique blend of storytelling and instruction that invigorates your kitchen repertoire.

Longlisted for The Art of Eating Prize
Named One of Best Cookbooks by Chicago Tribune
Selected Great Graphic Novels for Teens by YALSA
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Best for mastering diverse pasta shapes
Carmella Alvaro, owner and pasta maker at Melina’s Fresh Pasta in Durham, North Carolina, brings deep personal and professional experience to this book. Raised in an Italian-American family and trained in Bologna, Italy, she blends tradition with practical guidance. Her expertise shines through in detailed recipes and techniques that invite you to create authentic homemade pasta with care and confidence.
2020·234 pages·Noodles Cooking, Pasta Cooking, Italian Cooking, Dough Techniques, Stuffed Pasta

Carmella Alvaro’s journey from growing up in an Italian-American household to mastering the craft in Bologna culminates in this detailed guide to homemade pasta. You’ll learn diverse pasta-making techniques, from mixing dough with precision to crafting cut, shaped, stuffed, and extruded varieties, supported by clear photos and instructions. The book dives into the science of ingredients and the role of equipment, offering practical recipes for doughs, sauces, fillings, and complete dishes. If you’re passionate about elevating your noodles cooking and want to embrace authentic Italian traditions, this book provides a solid, hands-on foundation without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for traditional Italian home pasta
John Burnmurdoch, a respected data journalist known for his analytical work at the Financial Times, shared his affection for this cookbook with a simple yet enthusiastic "@NaTPMpode We have the book! I love it 😀". His endorsement highlights how this collection resonated even with those outside the typical culinary expert circles. Burnmurdoch's appreciation reflects the book's ability to bring Italy’s home-cooked pasta traditions into your kitchen, making it a trusted guide for anyone serious about noodles cooking.
JB

Recommended by John Burnmurdoch

Data journalist at Financial Times

@NaTPMpode We have the book! I love it 😀 (from X)

2019·256 pages·Noodles Cooking, Pasta Cooking, Italian Cooking, Traditional Recipes, Recipe Techniques

Vicki Bennison's experience traveling through diverse cultures shaped this authentic collection of traditional Italian pasta recipes, directly inspired by the beloved Pasta Grannies YouTube channel. You learn a range of techniques from simple hand-rolled pici to intricate lumachelle della duchessa, accompanied by stories that bring Italy's culinary heritage vividly to life. The book serves those who want to master the art of homemade pasta rooted in family tradition, exploring not just recipes but the cultural context behind them. It's especially suited for cooks eager to deepen their understanding of Italian home cooking without relying on shortcuts or modern gimmicks.

Winner of the James Beard Award for Single Subject
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Best for custom cooking plans
This AI-created book on noodles cooking is crafted based on your current skills and specific interests. You share which noodle styles and techniques you want to focus on, and the book delivers a clear, practical 30-day plan designed around your goals. This tailored approach lets you build skills efficiently, focusing on what you truly want to learn without wading through unrelated content. It's like having a personal cooking coach guiding your noodle mastery journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Noodles Cooking, Dough Preparation, Broth Techniques, Sauce Balancing, Flavor Development

This personalized book explores a focused 30-day journey to elevate your noodle cooking skills through a tailored, step-by-step approach. It reveals techniques suited to your current cooking level and interests, guiding you through essential methods like dough preparation, broth crafting, and flavor balancing. By concentrating on your specific goals, this book offers a clear learning path that bridges classic noodle traditions with practical kitchen experiments. The tailored content ensures you engage deeply with the aspects of noodle cooking that matter most to you, from authentic recipes to nuanced textures and sauces. Every chapter builds on your progress, making the complex art of noodles approachable and rewarding.

Tailored Guide
Stepwise Culinary Progression
3,000+ Books Created
Best for classic Italian pasta methods
Giuliano Hazan, son of the legendary Marcella Hazan, brings over 30 years of expertise teaching Italian cuisine to this book. Beginning his journey at his mother's cooking school in Bologna at just 17, Giuliano blends tradition with clarity, offering you authentic pasta recipes and techniques refined through decades of experience and recognition such as the Cooking Teacher of the Year Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
The Classic Pasta Cookbook (Classic Cookbook) book cover

by Giuliano Hazan··You?

176 pages·Pasta Cooking, Noodles Cooking, Cooking, Cuisine, Italian Recipes

When Giuliano Hazan first realized how modern pasta culture was drifting from its roots, he set out to reconnect cooks with traditional Italian pasta-making techniques. Drawing on decades of experience teaching at his mother Marcella Hazan's renowned cooking school in Bologna, he offers over 100 recipes that range from rustic classics to contemporary dishes, all grounded in authentic methods. You’ll learn how to handle pasta dough, master sauces that complement different shapes, and appreciate the balance of simplicity and complexity in Italian cuisine. This book suits anyone eager to deepen their culinary skills with pasta, whether you're refining familiar recipes or exploring regional Italian flavors.

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Best for authentic Vietnamese pho noodles
Helen Le is the founder and host of the most popular Vietnamese Cooking Channel on YouTube, where she has helped thousands of home cooks prepare delicious Vietnamese food in the easiest, fastest, and most authentic way. Her recipes are loved worldwide for their simplicity and reliability. In Simply Pho, she translates that expertise into a detailed course on making pho and other Vietnamese noodle dishes at home, guiding you through everything from fresh noodle making to crafting rich broths and unique recipes that go beyond the traditional bowl.
2017·192 pages·Noodles Cooking, Vietnamese Cooking, Pho Recipes, Broth Preparation, Noodle Making

Helen Le draws directly from her extensive experience as a Vietnamese cooking YouTube host to demystify the art of pho and Vietnamese noodle dishes. You’ll not only master traditional pho noodle soup but also explore creative uses for pho noodles in dishes like spring rolls, bahn mi sandwiches, and even pho-based pizzas. The book guides you through making fresh pho noodles, broths, and distinctive dipping sauces, giving you skills that extend beyond a single dish and into authentic Vietnamese culinary techniques. If you want to bring a variety of Vietnamese noodle dishes into your kitchen with recipes that balance authenticity and convenience, this course serves that purpose well.

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Best for Japanese noodle comfort foods
Tadashi Ono is a celebrated chef whose career spans Tokyo's culinary roots and prestigious French kitchens like La Caravelle. His deep expertise in both Japanese and French cooking inspired this collection of Japanese soul food recipes, aiming to share the vibrant, homey flavors of dishes such as ramen and tempura with Western home cooks. His passion for Japanese food culture shines through, offering you not just recipes but a rich culinary experience.
2013·256 pages·Noodles Cooking, Japanese Cooking, Asian Cooking, Comfort Food, Ramen Recipes

What started as Tadashi Ono's journey from Tokyo kitchens to acclaimed French restaurants became a captivating homage to Japanese comfort food. In this book, you learn how to master hearty dishes like ramen, tonkatsu, tempura, and lesser-known favorites such as wafu pasta and tatsuta-age, complete with foolproof instructions and vivid step-by-step photos. The authors also explore the surprising origins and global influences behind these recipes, enriching your understanding beyond cooking techniques. This book suits anyone eager to bring authentic, flavor-packed Japanese soul food into their home kitchen, whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned cook looking for depth.

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Conclusion

This collection of noodle cookbooks reveals a few clear threads: deep respect for tradition, the joy of hands-on craft, and the power of authentic flavors to connect cultures. Whether you’re drawn to the spicy, cumin-rich noodles of Xi’an or the delicate artistry of handmade Italian pasta, each book offers a unique path to enriching your culinary skills.

If you’re just starting out, diving into Let's Make Ramen! paired with Pasta Grannies offers a balanced introduction to Asian and Italian noodle traditions. For those aiming to refine technique and elevate dinner parties, Pasta by Missy Robbins alongside Giuliano Hazan’s The Classic Pasta Cookbook provide expert guidance. And if your passion lies in vibrant broths and noodles beyond Italy, Simply Pho and Japanese Soul Cooking open doors to Vietnamese and Japanese comfort foods.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Noodles Cooking book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and make noodles cooking a rewarding and delicious adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with a book that matches your favorite noodle style. For Japanese ramen, try "Let's Make Ramen!" For Italian pasta, "Pasta Grannies" offers accessible classics. These books balance tradition with approachable techniques.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Noodles Cooking?

Not at all. Several, like "Let's Make Ramen!" and "Pasta Grannies," guide beginners step-by-step, while others offer deeper skills for more experienced cooks. You can pick based on your comfort level.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Both have value. Newer books may offer fresh insights or illustrations, like "Pasta." Classics, such as "The Classic Pasta Cookbook," provide timeless techniques. Mixing both enriches your learning.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"Authentic Homemade Pasta" and "Pasta" lean into technique and theory, explaining dough science and shaping. "Xi'an Famous Foods" and "Simply Pho" emphasize practical recipes with cultural stories.

Can I skip around or do I need to read them cover to cover?

You can definitely skip around. Many of these books are organized by recipes or techniques, letting you pick what interests you most, whether it’s noodle types, broths, or sauces.

How can personalized noodle cooking books complement these expert titles?

Personalized books build on these experts’ knowledge by focusing on your unique skills and goals, offering tailored recipes and techniques. They’re a perfect complement to deepen your noodles cooking journey. Explore more here.

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