Traditional Chinese Local Food - Guo Qiao Mi Xian

Chinese food is famous in home in and out not only for their delicious flavors, but for its large varieties.  In different parts of China, there are special local snacks. In today’s post of learning Chinese online, we are going introduce a famous snack 过桥米线 （ɡuò qiáo mǐ xiàn） from Yunnan Province of China.

Let’s first begin by learning the meaning of the title by breaking it into two parts, “Guo Qiao” and “Mi Xian”. In our Chinese skype lessons, we learned that “Guo Qiao” is "to go over a bridge" (过桥). “Mi Xian” refers to rice noodles (米线). Mi Xian is a special local product in  China’s Yunan Province. You may be confused: Does this special local food has anything to do with the bridge? Actually, the name of 过桥米线 comes from the process of cooking method. The traditional cooking method is boiling it with green vegetable and meat. But Guo Qiao Mi Xian is made in a special process. You start with a big bowl of broth made from boilin bones, much like how western culture makes broth. Boiling oil is added on top so the soup can stay hot. Then you choose what kind of vegetables and meat you want. The meat is cut into thin strips, so it'll cook faster once put into the soup. The soup is so hot, it cooks the ingredients. Once you add the vegatables, the mean and Mi Xian into the soup, you stir it several times, wait a couple mintues the “Guo Qiao Mi Xian” is finished. Now the famous Chinese snack is not only popular in Yunnan, but can be commonly seen all across China and overseas Chinatowns.

So, who created this famous food in China? It is said that Guo Qiao Mi Xian was first made by a clever wife. The story is: A hardworking husband was busy studying for the officer examination. His wife would send dinner to him, but he always forgot to eat until it became cold. So his wife made a dish that can retain heat and be eaten a little at a time.  When her husband was hungry, he could make the dinner by himself and it would still be hot. She would take it to him every day and cross a bridge on the way. This is another saying that the name “Guo Qiao Mi Xian” directs from.

It doesn’t really matter where the name comes from as long as it’s delicious, right? Have you ever tried this food in China? Stay with us to explore more about special local Chinese food and at the same time learn Chinese the authentic and fun way! And also reply to tell us what Chinese food you like most!