In a bowl add the salt, sugar and warm water and mix. Add the yeast and let it sit for 5 mins

Add the flour and kneed the dough until it no longer sticks on the hands

Cover the bowl with a cling film and warm kitchen cloth and the let it sit for 1hr or till the dough doubles in size

On a floured surface divide the dough into 8 equal parts

Pick one of the dough pieces and roll them on the surface to form a long strip

Let the strip form a u shape then hold the ends and let them cross over the other twice the fold them under the curve of the dough as shown. Do the same for the rest of the other dough pieces

In a pot add the 5 cups of water and the baking soda. Bring it to a boil. Add the folded dough carefully, one by one for 30 seconds each then remove them and place them on an oiled baking try

In a bowl mix the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water and brush them over the pretzels.sprinkle salt and poppy seeds or sesame seeds or any topping of your choice