Yungai Temple Dried Noodles

Yungai Temple Dried Noodles

Yungai Temple dried noodles are a protected geographical indication product.

　　Yungai Temple dried noodles are a specialty of Zhen’an County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province. Produced in Yungai Temple Town, Zhen’an County, these noodles are a well-known local product. The noodles are made entirely by hand through multiple processes including dough mixing, fermentation, noodle rolling, coiling, hanging, sweating, stretching, and sun-drying. The resulting noodles can be as thin as hair or as thick as skewers, and each strand is hollow. Because the noodles are made with fermentation, they cook very quickly—just three minutes in boiling water—and are ready to eat. Since salt is added during the process, no additional seasoning is needed when cooking, leading to the saying “Dried noodles without added salt—you’ve already spoken (salted) beforehand.”

　　Yungai Temple Town is located in Zhen’an County, Shaanxi Province, within the Qinba Mountainous region, often described as “nine parts mountain, half part water, and half part farmland.” The arable land is mostly mountainous, unsuitable for large farming machinery. Crops are grown using traditional methods without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, harvested manually, and yields are very low. In difficult times, dried noodles were especially precious. This craft is mastered by only a few and is considered an artisan skill in the area. Due to fermentation, the noodles are highly digestible and extremely convenient to cook—just sprinkle some scallions and add an egg for a perfect meal, suitable for all ages. Locally, they are an essential gift for occasions such as a mother’s full moon celebration or an elder’s birthday. In recent years, as the local government has developed tourism in the ancient town, these noodles have become an important source of income for local farmers as a local specialty.

　　The administrative regions under the jurisdiction of six towns and offices in Zhen’an County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province: Yungai Temple Town, Yuehe Town, Muwang Town, Huilong Town, Miaogou Town, and Yongle Subdistrict Office.