Mung Bean Crispy Rice Noodles

Mung Bean Crispy Rice Noodles

　　Mung Bean Crispy Rice Noodles

　　— offers hundreds of different snacks, each with its own distinct flavor.

　　Visitors to — are always particularly taken with the uniquely styled pea jelly and mung bean crispy rice noodles.

　　As the name suggests, mung bean crispy rice noodles are made with mung beans as the main ingredient and are named for being baked into a crispy layer in a pan.

　　The production process of mung bean crispy rice noodles differs from that of other rice noodles. First, rice and mung beans are washed clean with water in a certain proportion according to need, removing impurities, sand, and bran. Then they are soaked in warm water at about 30°C for 24 hours until the mung beans and rice are fully swollen. After that, they are ground into a suitably thick or thin mixture of mung bean and rice slurry for later use. Unlike other types of rice noodles, which are spread in a thin layer on aluminum trays, tin trays, or mesh screens before being steamed in large pots and then hung up to cool, mung bean crispy rice noodles are directly poured into an iron pan and baked layer by layer. Before making the mung bean crispy rice noodles, an important step is preparing the well-cooked starch paste. How well this paste is made directly affects the quality of the noodles—that is, good-quality paste ensures that when the noodles are boiled in soup, they won’t turn mushy or clump together. Therefore, preparing the starch paste well is crucial. There are two methods to make it. One involves grinding steamed rice along with mung beans and rice in a certain proportion. The other method is to take a portion of the already-ground mung bean and rice slurry, cook it, and then mix it back into the raw slurry.

　　There’s also a particular technique to baking the mung bean crispy rice noodles: you must only use dry pine needles or small twigs as fuel. This kind of fire is called “puffing fire,” and its intensity can be controlled by the cook. During the process, once the iron pan is hot, a little cooking oil is dipped and spread on the bottom. Then the prepared mung bean slurry is stirred evenly, and one spoonful is ladled out and poured into the pan either clockwise or counterclockwise. If it's not evenly distributed, a spatula can be used to smooth it out. At this point, some pine needles or twigs are placed in the stove. After a burst of puffing fire, the slurry on the pan forms a skin and gives off a faint fragrance, indicating that the noodles are ready to be flipped—the side touching the pan should have turned golden yellow, and the edges should have started curling. Then, using your thumb and index finger to grip the edge of the half-cooked mung bean crispy rice noodle, you try lifting it slightly and flipping it over. With the residual heat, in about one or two minutes, a fragrant, yellow-green mung bean crispy rice noodle is fully baked. It is then lifted off and cooled on a prepared small tray or cutting board. When eating, fold it into strips, horizontally roll the edges, and slice it into pieces about 1 cm wide. It can be made into more than ten varieties of snacks such as spicy chicken mung bean crispy rice noodles, beef mung bean crispy rice noodles, sausage and blood tofu mung bean crispy rice noodles, stewed pig’s trotter mung bean crispy rice noodles, pork mung bean crispy rice noodles, and minced meat mung bean crispy rice noodles.

　　Because the making and ingredients of mung bean crispy rice noodles differ, the taste it delivers is also unique. Baked in the pan, the noodles are thinner around the edges and slightly thicker in the middle. When the puffing fire from the pine needles and twigs hits them, countless tiny bubbles form inside. Once sliced, the cross-section reveals a honeycomb-like texture. When eaten, it’s flavorful with the right amount of salt, offering a firm yet fragrant crunch, with a hint of sweetness beneath the salty taste.

　　In the past, this delicacy could only be enjoyed during festivals and special occasions. Now, what was once a treat reserved for honored guests in family gatherings has been brought to market and has won the hearts of travelers from all over.

　　Crispy rice noodles and mung bean crispy rice noodles attract visitors from all directions with their unique charm.

　　Crispy rice noodles and mung bean crispy rice noodles engage in a delicious cultural exchange with travelers from all over through their unique style.