Crossing the Bridge Noodles - a famous specialty in Yunnan, China.

When talking about Chinese cuisine, one cannot fail to mention Guoqiao Mixian (Crossing the Bridge Noodles) - a famous specialty of Yunnan Province, China. This dish is not only appealing for its rich flavor but also carries an interesting story about its origin and unique way of enjoying it.

Tourists enjoy "crossing the bridge" noodles in Kunming city, Yunnan province (China).

Arriving in Kunming, Yunnan Province, guided by a local, we ascended the stairs from the Dounan Flower Market building to the 5th floor to enjoy the famous "Crossing the Bridge Noodles" at Shang Yun Duan restaurant. The "Crossing the Bridge Noodles" has a history spanning hundreds of years, linked to the story of a devoted wife caring for her husband as he studied diligently. The legend goes that outside Mengzi City, in southern Yunnan Province, there was a lake with a small island in the middle. A poor farming couple deeply loved each other. The husband visited the island, found it beautiful, and decided to stay to study, waiting for the day he would go to the capital to take the imperial examination. His wife often made his favorite noodles and carried them across the bridge to the island for him. However, because of the long journey, the diligent scholar often forgot to eat, and the noodles would frequently get cold.

Seeing her husband studying so hard, the wife came up with the idea of ​​preparing a very hot broth, adding a layer of chicken fat on top to keep it warm. Other ingredients such as rice noodles, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and spices were arranged in separate portions. When eating, the husband simply added the ingredients one by one to the hot broth. Thanks to the heat of the broth, the ingredients gradually cooked. The scholar diligently studied and passed his exams, never forgetting the care and support of his virtuous wife. Word spread, and people in the area eagerly asked for the recipe for the noodle dish that helped the young man succeed in his studies. The name "Bun Qua Cau" (Noodles Crossing the Bridge) was born from that story and remains famous to this day.

According to the manager of Shang Yun Duan restaurant, the best version of "Crossing the Bridge Noodles" is found in Yunnan, as Yunnan is famous for its mushrooms. Today, "Crossing the Bridge Noodles" is considered one of the specialties of Yunnan Province, China. Not only do locals love this dish, but tourists visiting Yunnan also enjoy this unique dish. To achieve a rich, golden-brown broth that isn't greasy, chefs meticulously simmer old chickens for 5-6 hours.

We were no exception, eagerly anticipating this dish. When the bowls of vermicelli were served, the first impression was the broth, served in a large ceramic bowl resembling a hot pot, along with the abundant and appealing toppings and condiments. Small plates of meat, fish, vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, and spices, along with the vermicelli, were arranged separately in a large tray. Each item was in a small quantity, carefully selected, fresh, and seasonal, and most importantly, beautifully presented in a variety of colors. Diners could add each ingredient to their bowl and enjoy.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tue, a tourist from Bac Ninh province, shared: "The 'Crossing the Bridge' noodle soup has a rich, hot flavor, with a subtly sweet broth, soft rice noodles, and a distinctive aroma from the meats and vegetables. Interestingly, even though it takes a few minutes to add the ingredients and wait for them to cook, the broth still retains its heat, perfectly cooking the ingredients. A bowl of noodles costs 40-50 yuan (approximately 120,000-160,000 VND). Being outdoors in the cold weather and then slurping down a hot bowl of noodles is incredibly satisfying."

Today, not only in China but also in many places around the world , "crossing-the-bridge noodles" have been included on menus for diners who love Chinese cuisine. If you have the opportunity to visit Yunnan, you should try this famous noodle dish at least once to fully appreciate the traditional flavors and unique culinary culture of China.

Lighthouse

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/276/199042/Bun-qua-cau-dac-san-nuc-tieng-o-Van-Nam,-Trung-Quoc.htm