Fortune-drawing rice noodles at Hsinchu Rice Noodles & Meatball Festival

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported by Chen Guanxin

The Hsinchu region, famous across the country for its rice noodles and meatballs, is set to host the “2012 Hsinchu Rice Noodles & Meatball Festival” on October 20 and 21 at the Confucius Temple in Hsinchu City. In addition to over sixty food stalls, the event will feature the first-ever Dream Meatball Rice Noodle Creative Installation Art Competition, the “I Love You, Rice Noodles” Martial Arts-Style Matchmaking PK, the final of the Hsinchu Princess Pageant, the Beautiful Hsinchu Family Painting and Sketching Competition, and the Rice Noodles & Meatball Red vs. White Grand Prix. Moreover, starting at 10:30 AM each day during the event, there will be a limited daily offering of 500 portions of rice noodles containing fortune poems, which the public can win by making a NT$10 donation.

Among the activities planned for this event, the “Martial Arts-Style Matchmaking PK” will have participating chefs combining Hsinchu rice noodles with specialty ingredients from around the country, judged by celebrity chef James. The “Red vs. White Rice Noodles & Meatball Grand Prix” invites the public to vote on the Facebook event fan page “Rice Noodles & Meatball Feast” to predict the winning team, with 200 people at the event also able to cast votes. Participants will have the chance to win a limited-edition event porcelain bowl.

In addition, starting at 1:30 PM on October 21, there will be a tasting market performance show, featuring live demonstrations of meatball extrusion, meatball cooking, diverse rice noodle tastings, and healthy cooking lessons. The event also includes scheduled performances by indigenous dance troupes and street artists, creating a carnival-like atmosphere for attendees. Event webpage: www.facebook.com/HsinchuRiceflourPorkballs.

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