The Tale and Taste of Crossing the Bridge Noodles

In the diverse world of rice noodles, countless variations can be created through different cooking techniques and ingredient combinations: crossing the bridge noodles (Chinese Name: 过桥米线, also known as guo qiao mi xian), small pot rice noodles, tofu rice noodles, cold rice noodles, hand-grabbed rice noodles, and many more.

Among all these, crossing the bridge noodles stands out as the most iconic and renowned, especially in Yunnan cuisine. Its romantic legend is widely known, and for many, this dish is their introduction to the rich world of Yunnan rice noodles.

Crossing the bridge noodles, also known as crossing the bridge rice noodles, is a unique snack from the southern Yunnan province, part of the Dian cuisine. This dish originated in the Mengzi area and is made with a rich broth, various condiments, raw pork tenderloin slices, chicken breast slices, black fish slices, half-cooked pork kidney slices, stomach slices, and rehydrated squid slices.

In this article, I will introduce various aspects of crossing the bridge noodles, including its history, legend, and how to cook it. Let’s begin.

The Legend of Crossing the Bridge Noodles

The legend behind crossing the bridge noodles is both romantic and heartwarming:

In the picturesque Nanhu district of Mengzi City, scholars and poets often gathered to study or compose poetry. Among them was a dedicated scholar named Yang, who would spend entire days immersed in his books at a pavilion in the middle of the lake.

When he forgot to return home for meals, his loving wife would bring food to him. However, Yang was so absorbed in his studies that he often neglected the hot meals she brought, ending up with cold food and a weakening body.

Seeing her husband’s health deteriorate, his wife decided to kill a hen and stew it in a clay pot. She brought the hot soup to him, hoping it would stay warm. When she returned to collect the dishes, she found Yang still engrossed in his books, the food untouched.

To her surprise, the clay pot was still warm, thanks to a layer of chicken fat on top that had kept the soup hot. Inspired, she began using this method regularly, adding rice noodles, vegetables, and meat slices to the hot chicken soup, ensuring her husband always had a warm, nutritious meal. Gradually, Yang’s health improved.

Neighbors soon caught on to her ingenious method, and the resulting dish was indeed delicious. Because Yang had to cross a small bridge to reach the pavilion, people started calling this dish “crossing the bridge noodles” to honor the loving and resourceful wife.

Ingredients of Crossing the Bridge Noodles

Crossing the bridge noodles mainly consists of five parts:

1. Broth: Covered with a layer of hot oil.
2. Condiments: Including chili oil, MSG, pepper, and salt.
3. Main Ingredients: Raw pork tenderloin slices, chicken breast slices, black fish slices, pork kidney slices, stomach slices, rehydrated squid slices, etc.
4. Side Ingredients: Including pea tips, chives, cilantro, shredded scallions, shredded ginger, yulan slices (dried bamboo shoots), tofu skin, etc.
5. Main Food: Rice noodles that have been blanched in hot water.

How to Cook Crossing the Bridge Noodles

Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, pork stomach, fish fillets, chicken breast, mushrooms, green bean sprouts, quail eggs, ham, pickled mustard, dried tofu, fried tofu, bean sprouts.
Condiments: Cilantro, scallions, chili oil, pepper powder, vinegar, salt.

1. Clean the black chicken or old hen, remove the internal organs, and take out the chicken fat.
2. Cut the chicken into small pieces and stir-fry with a little oil until fragrant.
3. Add water to cover the chicken and simmer slowly into a rich chicken broth.
4. Put diced chicken fat into a pan and slowly render out the chicken oil.
5. Scald the bowl: The bowl for the rice noodles must be scalded with boiling water to keep it warm. The rice noodles should be boiled or blanched beforehand.
6. Broth: Put the rendered chicken oil into the scalded thick bowl, and pour the boiling chicken broth into the bowl until about 80% full. The thick layer of chicken oil floating on top will keep the broth hot.
7. Add salt, pepper, or other preferred seasonings, and bring the bowl to the table.
8. Add meat slices first because the chicken oil on the surface is about 150 degrees Celsius or even higher, so it can cook the meat slices.
9. After about 10 minutes, add vegetables.
10. Finally, add scallions, cilantro, chili oil, vinegar, etc., and start enjoying the meal.

Tips:

Yunnan rice noodles must achieve the “Four Scalding” standard: scalding chicken oil, boiling chicken broth, freshly scalded rice noodles, and scalded bowls. Only by ensuring the four scalding points can the chicken broth remain hot enough to cook all the ingredients thoroughly.

This recipe for crossing the bridge noodle soup encapsulates the rich flavors and traditional cooking techniques of this famous Yunnan dish.

Tips for Eating Crossing the Bridge Noodles

While crossing the bridge noodles are delicious, there are some traditional rules to follow when enjoying this dish:

• Don’t drink the soup first: The chicken oil on top can be very hot and may burn your mouth.
• Add ingredients in the correct order: First, let the high temperature cook the meats and eggs, then add the vegetables, and finally the rice noodles.
• Eat the meats and fish slices first: This ensures you enjoy them at their most tender and flavorful.
• Eat the noodles before drinking the soup: By the time you finish the noodles, the soup will have cooled to a more comfortable temperature.

Nutritional Value of Crossing the Bridge Noodles

Let’s explore the nutritional benefits of crossing the bridge noodles.

Rice noodles themselves are high in carbohydrates but low in protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins. However, the preparation of crossing the bridge noodles involves adding a variety of meats and vegetables, transforming it into a balanced meal rich in high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, moderate fat, and a wealth of vitamins and minerals.

Chicken oil and broth are high in fat and calories. If you’re concerned about your calorie intake, you might want to limit the amount of broth you consume.

Overall, crossing the bridge noodles is a well-balanced dish, offering a good mix of proteins, dietary fiber, and carbohydrates.

Cultural Significance of Crossing the Bridge Noodles

Crossing the bridge noodles is not just a dish; it’s a cultural and historical treasure.

1. Cultural Symbol and Sentiment: For the people of Mengzi, crossing the bridge noodles is an essential part of life, symbolizing the city’s culture and evoking memories of home and family. It’s more than just a bowl of noodles; it’s an emotional connection to one’s heritage.
2. Culinary Tradition: The national inheritor of crossing the bridge noodles’ culinary technique wakes up at 2:30 AM every day to prepare the broth. For her, this dish is a legacy from her ancestors and a labor of love, a tradition she diligently maintains and spreads nationwide.
3. Fusion of Eastern and Western Culinary Cultures: Since the opening of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway in 1910, Mengzi’s Bisezhai Station became a major hub, facilitating the exchange of Eastern and Western culinary traditions. The adaptable nature of crossing the bridge noodles makes it a perfect ambassador of this cultural fusion.
4. Intangible Cultural Heritage: In 2014, the technique of making Mengzi crossing the bridge noodles was listed in the fourth batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition underscores the importance of preserving and passing down this culinary art.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a deep appreciation for crossing the bridge noodles, understanding its rich history, cultural significance, and how to prepare this delightful dish at home. Enjoy your culinary journey!