Liu Zhuo Village Hand-Pulled Noodles

Liu Zhuo Village Hand-Pulled Noodles

　　The traditional hand-pulled noodles of Liu Zhuo, which originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, have a history of 400 years. Passed down through generations, they have inspired many touching stories. Known for their palatable taste, fine texture, and delicious flavor, these noodles have been favored by markets throughout the ages and remain popular to this day.

Hand-pulled noodles are a manifestation of traditional dietary culture in human society. As a green food, they are beloved for their delicious taste, attractive appearance, and high nutritional value, and have been passed down to the present day. As early as the third year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign, hand-pulled noodles from Liu Zhuo were sold in markets in Dali and Xi'an, dominating the market. The catchphrase at the time was “Liu Zhuo hand-pulled noodles from Chengcheng—displayed on both streets, they’re a sight to behold.” Wu Yunzhong, a wealthy merchant from Dali, primarily dealt in purchasing and selling Liu Zhuo noodles, arriving in Liu Zhuo every October to December to buy them by horseback and cart. Wang Xiang’er, a wealthy man from Liumen Village in Zhaoyi County, once presented the noodles as an offering to Empress Dowager Cixi during her private visit to Xi'an in an effort to reduce the taxes imposed on him by the Qing government. After tasting them, the Empress Dowager praised them highly and took a whole load back to Beijing with her upon her return. In recognition, each household had their tax reduced by one thousand taels of silver. The magistrate of Chengcheng County also allocated a section of the main street to the people of Liu Zhuo for a dedicated noodle market, for which the ancestors were deeply grateful. With only about 80 households in the village, everyone—men, women, old and young—worked day and night to produce these noodles as New Year goods. This golden period lasted for twenty or thirty years. Whether it was for weddings, births, or celebrating the birthdays of elders, these noodles have been a premium delicacy served to family and friends from the beginning until now. The purity, fineness, and long strands of the noodles have come to symbolize everlasting unity and eternal longevity.

The hand-pulled noodles are pure, delicate, and smooth as snow. Available in various grades such as regular noodles, leek-leaf noodles, hollow noodles, egg-white noodles, and milk noodles, they are nutritious, easy to digest, and cater to the needs of different consumer levels, providing a delicious and wholesome supplement for everyone.