How do you celebrate your birthday? Many might answer: with a birthday cake. In China, there is an ancient tradition that is still in practice today. Instead of having a cake, many might be enjoying birthday noodles. Birthday noodles or 寿面 (shòumiàn) are not just ordinary noodles. They literally mean "long-life noodles" and it is believed that the longer the noodles, the bigger the wish for long life. These noodles also have to be eaten in a special way. It is said the whole noodle should be eaten—bit by bit—without breaking it into pieces. You wouldn't want to cut your life short!

寿面 (shòumiàn) - noodles eaten on one's birthday; birthday noodles
寿 (shòu) comes from "长寿 (cháng shòu) longevity; long life"
面 (miàn) is from "面条 (miàntiáo) noodles"

Often on someone's birthday, their family will make them some homemade noodles or they can go to a restaurant, which will make the noodles specially for their birthday. These noodles have a unique story as to why they are eaten on a birthday, aside from wishing a person long life. Read more

Examples:

Jīntiān wǒ guò shēngrì yào chī shòumiàn.
今天    我  过    生日      要   吃    寿面。
Today is my birthday and I want to eat "long-life" noodles.

Nǐ zhīdào zěnme zuò shòumiàn ma?
你  知道    怎么    做     寿面       吗？
Do you know how to make "longevity" noodles?

Learn more ways to talk about birthdays:

Say when your birthday is in Chinese

5 things you should know about Chinese gift-giving