Alright, welcome back to the doodle podcast, where we doodle, scdoodle, and—well, sometimes eat noodles. I’m Evan Hollis, and as always, I’m joined by Jill. Today, we’re diving into something that’s, honestly, a bit close to my heart—noodle artistry. Jill, did you ever think we’d be talking about turning noodles into actual art?I mean, not really! But after last week’s episode on AI and doodling, it kind of makes sense, right? We keep finding these unexpected overlaps between creativity and, well, everything else. So, Evan, where do you even start if you want to make noodles into art?It’s wild, isn’t it? The process actually starts a lot like any other creative project—with a sketch. Chefs will literally draw out their ideas, mapping out how the noodles will be arranged on the plate. It’s almost like storyboarding a scene, but instead of actors, you’ve got spaghetti and soba. And, uh, I have to admit, when I was a kid, I used to doodle pasta shapes in the margins of my notebooks. I never imagined those squiggly lines would one day become edible masterpieces. I mean, I was just bored in maths class, but apparently, I was ahead of my time.That’s adorable. And honestly, it makes sense—so much of food art is about planning. I’ve seen chefs use everything from colored pencils to digital tablets to sketch out their noodle designs before they even touch the dough. And then there’s the actual shaping and arranging, which is a whole other level of precision.Yeah, and the techniques are getting more intricate every year. Some chefs twist noodles into little nests, others braid them, or even layer them to mimic the look of a pencil sketch. It’s like, you look at the plate and you’re not sure if you should eat it or hang it on the wall. I always get a bit nervous I’ll ruin the whole thing with my fork.Same! And I love how some of these designs are inspired by actual doodles—like, you can see the playful lines and swirls right there on the plate. It’s such a fun way to bring a sketch to life, literally.So, let’s talk about the tools. Because, honestly, I used to think you just needed a pot and a fork, but there’s a whole world of gadgets out there for noodle art. Have you seen those tiny tweezers chefs use to arrange noodles? It’s like surgery, but tastier.Oh, absolutely. There’s a real toolkit—chopsticks, spiralizers, ring molds, even little brushes for painting sauces. And then there’s the plating itself. I saw this one chef who shaped soba noodles into a floral bouquet, with edible petals and everything. It was almost too pretty to eat. Almost.That reminds me of this experiment I did at home. I didn’t have any fancy tools, so I just grabbed a pair of chopsticks and a spiralizer. I tried to make a noodle sculpture—kind of a noodle tower, actually. It was, uh, structurally questionable, but it looked cool for about five seconds before it collapsed. Still, it was fun to improvise and see what I could come up with.That’s the spirit! And honestly, some of the best noodle art comes from just playing around with what you’ve got. I mean, we talked about experimentation in the last episode with AI doodles, and it’s the same here—sometimes the best results come from happy accidents or just trying something new. Like, I once tried to make a spaghetti “nest” and ended up with a sort of abstract, modernist pile. But hey, it tasted good.Exactly. And I think that’s what makes noodle art so approachable. You don’t need to be a professional chef or have a Michelin star to try it. You just need a bit of curiosity and maybe a willingness to get your hands messy.So, for anyone listening who wants to try noodle art at home, what would you say is the best way to start? I feel like people get intimidated, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.Yeah, I’d say just start simple. Maybe try arranging noodles in a spiral or layering them with colorful veggies. Even just playing with the shape—like using different types of noodles for contrast—can make a dish look really striking. And if it doesn’t look perfect, that’s part of the fun. It’s like doodling, but you get to eat your mistakes.I love that. And there are so many examples of home cooks who’ve taken classic noodle dishes and made them look totally new just by changing up the presentation. I saw someone turn ramen into a little garden scene, with carrot flowers and nori “trees.” It was so creative, and honestly, it made me want to eat more veggies, which is saying something.That’s the magic, isn’t it? When food looks beautiful, it changes the whole experience. You’re not just eating—you’re kind of participating in a little work of art. And I think, especially at home, it can make cooking feel less like a chore and more like a creative outlet. Plus, it’s a great way to get kids involved, or, you know, impress your friends at dinner parties. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything.No, never! But seriously, even just adding a little garnish or arranging things with intention can make a big difference. And if you mess up, well, you still get noodles at the end, so it’s a win-win.Exactly. So, whether you’re sketching out a masterpiece or just having fun with your leftovers, noodle art is all about creativity and play. And who knows, maybe your next dinner will be the inspiration for a future episode. Jill, any final thoughts before we wrap up?Just that I hope everyone feels inspired to try something new in the kitchen, even if it’s just doodling with noodles. And, as always, if you make something cool, send us a photo—we’d love to see it.Absolutely. Thanks for joining us on the doodle podcast. We’ll be back soon with more creative adventures—maybe with fewer carbs, but no promises. Jill, always a pleasure.You too, Evan. Bye everyone!Take care, and keep doodling—on your plates or your sketchpads. See you next time.

Episodes

Noodle Artistry in Action