Nanxi Vermicelli Noodles

Nanxi Vermicelli Noodles

　　　Product Name: Nanxi Vermicelli Noodles

　　Place of Origin: Wenzhou

　　Product Features: Translucent, smooth, and excellent in texture

　　Product Introduction: Though Nanxi vermicelli noodles may look no different from ordinary noodles when cooked, their production process is anything but ordinary. After being made, the noodles must be sun-dried for several days. During this time, the white vermicelli hangs all over the front yards and back courtyards of the village. The sight of the delicate strands fluttering in the breeze is truly a feast for the eyes, and is considered one of the scenic highlights of Nanxi.

　　Product History: People in Wenzhou are no strangers to vermicelli noodles. Though they are produced throughout the region, those from Nanxi in Yongjia are renowned for their superior quality. Nanxi vermicelli noodles, when finished, are often folded into the shape of the number “8,” hence they are also called “Eight-Shaped Noodles.” The making of vermicelli has been a traditional household side business for generations of villagers along both banks of the Nanxi River, and dates back over a thousand years. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, Yongjia national hero Chen Yuzhi used the tactic of “hanging white paper in place of vermicelli on bamboo poles” to deceive besieging Yuan troops during his three-year resistance at Furong Nanya, successfully driving them away—a story still celebrated to this day. This indicates that by that time, Nanxi vermicelli noodles were already widely popular. Nanxi vermicelli noodles are as fine as silver threads, white, soft, and resilient. Cooking the noodles is simple—anyone, regardless of age or gender, can do it. Just prepare the broth, wait for the water to boil, add the noodles, and once they come to a boil again, they’re done. However, they should not be overcooked, or they’ll turn mushy and lose their flavor. When properly cooked, the noodles are translucent, smooth, and have an excellent texture. But it’s important to note that the noodles contain salt and are slightly salty to begin with, so there's no need to add more salt during cooking—unlike with rice noodles. Residents along the Nanxi River have long regarded vermicelli noodles as a premium food, often serving them to guests. In the rural areas of Yongjia, it was once common to give vermicelli noodles as gifts when visiting relatives or friends. When women gave birth, it was customary for their mothers to bring a long basket of eight-shaped vermicelli noodles, commonly known as “longevity noodles,” to wish them good fortune. And when a matchmaker successfully paired a couple, she would happily go to the bride’s home to enjoy a bowl of “noodle soup.”