Yunnan Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles (云南过桥米线) is a traditional and highly distinctive local delicacy with various origin stories. One popular legend dates back to the Qing Dynasty when a scholar from Mengzi, Yunnan, studied diligently on a small island in South Lake. His devoted wife would bring him meals daily. One day, she prepared chicken soup, sliced meat, and rice noodles, and noticed that the thick layer of oil on the soup kept it hot for a long time. When she added the meat slices, they cooked quickly, and the rice noodles were exceptionally delicious. She continued to use this method, and it became popular among others. Since she had to cross a long bridge to deliver the meal, it was named “Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles.”
Preparation Process
The preparation of Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles is meticulous, focusing on the following aspects:
- Main Ingredient Selection: The main ingredient is tender rice noodles made traditionally by hand. They are repeatedly kneaded, pulled, and cut before being cooked in water to achieve a soft, smooth, and elastic texture.
- Soup Base Preparation: The soup base is the soul of Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles, made by simmering chicken, pork, and beef bones with fish, shrimp, various vegetables, and seafood for an extended period. This results in a rich, flavorful, and nutritious broth.
- Rich Variety of Ingredients: The ingredients are diverse, including slices of meat (such as pork, beef, and chicken), vegetables (like chives, bok choy, and bean sprouts), tofu products (such as tofu skin and dried tofu), and eggs (such as quail eggs and chicken eggs). These ingredients can be freely combined according to personal taste.
Eating Method
The eating method of Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles is unique. Typically, the hot soup base is first poured into a large bowl. Then, rice noodles, meat slices, vegetables, and other ingredients are added in sequence. Due to the high temperature of the soup, the ingredients cook quickly, retaining their freshness and taste. Additionally, condiments like chili oil and pepper powder can be added to enhance the flavor according to personal preference.
Notable Locations
In Yunnan, Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles are famous in many cities, with renowned shops in Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang. These places are well-known for their delicious taste and unique preparation methods, attracting numerous tourists to sample this local delicacy.