Comments on: Lye Water (Kansui) & Its Homemade Substitute

By: Wei Guo

Wei Guo — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 06:16:43 +0000

In reply to Minh. Good to know! Thanks, Minh

By: Minh

Minh — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:57:22 +0000

You can use calcium hydroxide too to raise the pH. It’s commonly known as pickling lime in the west to make crunchy pickles. It’s a strong alkaline and will add calcium to your noodles.

By: Wei Guo

Wei Guo — Fri, 09 May 2025 07:28:45 +0000

In reply to Seyoon. Thanks for your question. The 1:4 ratio I mentioned refers to volume, not weight. For example, 1 teaspoon of baked baking soda to 4 teaspoons of water. Measuring by ounces in weight can throw off the ratio, which might be why it's not dissolving properly. Try measuring by volume instead and see if that helps.

By: Seyoon

Seyoon — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:32:58 +0000

Hi Wei,
My baked baking soda isn’t dissolving in the water. I believe my ratios are correct; I used 2 ounces of baked baking soda with 8 ounces of water. I even microwaved the solution, but it still hasn’t dissolved! What can I do?
Sincerely, Seyoon

By: Seyoon

Seyoon — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:29:53 +0000

In reply to Paul:-).

HELP
THE BAKING SODA ISN’T DISSOLVING
HELP

By: Wei Guo

Wei Guo — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:49:37 +0000

In reply to Paul:-). It's always interesting to find similarities in different cuisines! Hope you get to try my recipes with lye water someday.

By: Paul:-)

Paul:-) — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 23:36:37 +0000

Hi Wei,
Very interesting.
I have heard of a similar solution used in Mexico to Nixtamalize Maize kernels in order to make Masa dough for Tortillas etc.
I will give it a try the Chinese way one day.
Paul:-)

By: Wei Guo

Wei Guo — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 11:00:43 +0000

In reply to Trish. I haven’t tested making baked baking powder at 170°C, and since baking powder is heat-sensitive, I’m not sure how it will turn out at a higher temperature. Unfortunately, I’m unable to provide guidance on this, but if you give it a try, I’d love to hear your results!

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 22:51:02 +0000

Hi, I would like to try this but my oven’s lowest temperature is 170C, should I bake it for less than an hour or go for the full hour at that temperature? Thank you so much!

By: Wei Guo

Wei Guo — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:14:20 +0000

In reply to Ewa Maria Nieborak. Yes, you can. Just make sure the baking powder is spread out reasonably thin and evenly.