Before machine-made noodles became popular, somen having a round cross section due to making the dough thinner through the hand-stretching process could be distinguished from cold noodles having a square cross section due to its process of drawing out the dough and shredding it.
機械麺が一般化する以前は、素麺は手延べ工程により生地を細くするため断面が丸く、ひやむぎは生地を薄く打ち延ばしてから細く切るため断面が四角になっている、という見分け方も出来た。