 The slightly chewy and slightly spongy texture of the noodles is due to the soda water used in making the dough (as opposed to regular non-carbonated water), which is then fried and dried into flat patty-like dried bricks.The Yi mein noodles available at grocery stores were pre-cooked by machines the same way as the modern instant noodles are made.The noodles may be cooked a number of ways.