Lingbao Broadknife Noodles

Lingbao Broadknife Noodles

　　Broadknife Noodles are the most popular local delicacy in Lingbao City, with a history of over 200 years. The noodles are cut using a large knife that is three feet long and five inches wide, resembling a butcher’s cleaver. The dough is rolled out into a thin sheet over a foot wide, folded into more than ten layers, and then sliced into noodles with the broadknife. Depending on the cutting technique, Broadknife Noodles are divided into four varieties: fine noodles, as thin as strand noodles; curtain-strip noodles, as coarse as bamboo strips; wide noodles, as wide as chives (often served dry-tossed); and flash-cut noodles, as wide as two chive leaves. These are made by making one solid cut followed by one wider “flash” cut, hence the name. Typically, fine noodles and curtain-strip noodles are sold in the morning, while wide noodles are served at noon. The seasonings are mainly sour and spicy, and the toppings and side ingredients can vary with the seasons.