Combine, warm water, sugar, yeast and butter in bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add salt, flour and mix well. If your dough is to wet add more flour one tablespoon at a time. Knead dough. Oil your bowl, add dough, turn to coat and let rise for one hour.
Pre-Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil.
While your waiting for water to boil. Divide dough into 8 balls. Roll each ball into a long rope. Approximately 22 inches lone.
Cut rope into one inch pieces.
When water starts to boil add your 1/2 cup baking soda. It will foam up and fizz. Don’t worry everything is fine.
Place one inch pieces into boiling water and boil for 30 seconds. Remove bites from water and place on a greased cookie sheet. The dough will have puffed up. Continue cooking rest of one inch pieces.
Brush tops of dough with egg wash and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.