Liantan Chicken Rice Noodles

Liantan Chicken Rice Noodles

　　Liantan, an ancient town in western Guangdong situated along the middle reaches of the Nanjiang River, is especially famous for a local favorite—chicken rice noodles. Liantan chicken rice noodles are truly unique, with their silky, snow-white strands as pure as jade and as translucent as emeralds. Their most remarkable feature is that even after boiling in water for an hour, the noodles remain firm. When cooked with ingredients such as peanut oil, garlic, scallions, light soy sauce, and more, they become a delicious, all-age-friendly dish suitable for all seasons. Made from locally sourced, high-quality rice, finely ground, steamed, sun-dried, and meticulously processed, these noodles are named for their delicate, slender shape that resembles a chick. They are produced in Shanzai Village on the outskirts of town, where the water is clear and fresh, resulting in rice noodles that are snow-white, firm even after prolonged cooking, non-sticky, smooth, and crispy. Liantan locals eat chicken rice noodles during festivals, full-moon celebrations, birthdays, weddings, and when receiving guests, believing it brings good fortune. These noodles have long been well-known across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. In recent years, to meet market demands, they are now packaged in elegant cardboard boxes—visually appealing, cost-effective, easy to transport, and perfect as gifts. The product is also exported year-round to economically developed inland areas such as Zhaoqing, Zhongshan, and the Pearl River Delta. There is also a magical legend behind Liantan chicken rice noodles: It is said that in the past, a severe drought struck the Liantan region. The scorching sun dried up the fields, crops withered, and the people suffered from hunger, resorting to digging up grass roots and tree bark for food. Eventually, even those were gone, leaving everyone to sigh in despair with empty stomachs. Women holding their children cried out in misery. Their cries moved the Heavenly Food God, who happened to be passing over Liantan at the time. Touched by the human suffering he witnessed, the compassionate deity chanted incantations and flicked his duster into the air. Immediately, fluffy bundles of powder began to drift down from the sky like snowflakes. People were puzzled—how could it snow in the heat of June? An elderly man leaning on a cane looked up and said, “Perhaps the heavens are showing mercy and sending us food!” He was the first to pick up a bundle and put it in his mouth. It tasted like a flatbread. Encouraged, he ate another and drank some water—soon feeling full and energized. Word spread quickly, and soon everyone was gathering the bundles to take home. Whatever they couldn’t eat right away, they stored for later. Some elders found the bundles a bit too hard, so they tried cooking them—and discovered the taste improved even more. From then on, people cooked the bundles to survive the drought. After eating the powder bundles, the villagers found themselves revitalized, able to fight the drought and engage in disaster relief efforts. By the second half of the year, they were rewarded with a bountiful harvest. From then on, the community lived in peace and prosperity. Because the white, fluffy bundles resembled little chicks, people began making and gifting them as food, calling them “chicken powder.” (Yunfu)