Bean Soup Rice Noodles

Bean Soup Rice Noodles

　　In Pu'er, what is called "rice noodles" (米干) is known as "rolled rice noodles" (卷粉) in Kunming, and as "cheung fun" (肠粉) in Guangdong. The rice noodles in Pu'er are steamed fresh and sold hot. Pu'er’s bean soup rice noodles are famous far and wide and are considered an excellent dish for strict vegetarians and those on a diet. They have a soft, tender texture and a deliciously sweet flavor, enjoying a reputation across Southeast Asian countries. Anyone traveling to or on business in Pu'er will want to try them. The bean soup rice noodles are made by grinding local round, plump dried peas into fine pea flour, which is then sieved three times until it becomes as fine as starch. This flour is boiled in a pot to create a smooth, paste-like pea soup. Then, freshly steamed rice noodles are cut into strips and placed in a bowl, topped with the warm pea soup, and garnished with Chinese chives, bean sprouts, ginger-garlic broth, soy sauce, MSG, sesame oil, and chili oil. A side of pickled radish or pickled cabbage completes the dish, making a classic serving of Pu'er bean soup rice noodles. The taste lingers long after the meal. (Dali)