Traditional Pingtan Noodles - Savoring the Flavor of Hometown

Mixing, stringing, pulling, drying, folding, selling... as the Spring Festival approaches, Lin Zhiming, a master craftsman in Pingtan’s “Line Noodles,” aka “Longevity Noodles,” is busy making noodles using the oldest method. He is the fourth-generation inheritor of handmade noodle craftsmanship in Lingshang Village, Pingtan. In his memory, his father's generation used oxen to pull the mill to make handmade noodles, a process that has now been replaced by machines for greater efficiency. In its heyday in the last century, over a hundred households in Lingshang Village churned out three to four thousand kilograms of noodles per day.

The Pingtan "Line Noodles" are white, fine as hair, soft and smooth in texture, resistant to boiling, and can stretch for several meters. This traditional delicacy, with a long history, is a must-have for Pingtan residents during the Lunar New Year. As the name suggests, "Line Noodles" are as thin as threads, making them convenient to cook. They are nutritious when cooked in a rich broth, offering a smooth and easily digestible texture. Though soft, they do not become mushy.

"The flavor of ‘Line Noodles’ varies depending on the broth. I prefer using clam broth, combined with first-harvest laver boiled in fresh water to create a rich soup. You can also add shrimp, oysters, and other ingredients," said Lin Zhiming. Nowadays, many locals working outside the region still order Pingtan noodles from their hometown. "Eating a bowl of ‘Line Noodles’ warms the stomach and the heart, bringing the taste of Pingtan to our hometown," he added.

A bowl of “Line Noodles” carries the flavor of one's hometown. The first day of the lunar new year in Pingtan is commonly known as "Chu Yi Zao," with a saying that goes, "Waking up early on the first day will bring good luck throughout the year." On the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, it is customary for everyone in Pingtan to eat a hot bowl of ‘Line Noodles’’ and two fried eggs which are nicknamed “Tai Ping Eggs,” aka “Peace Eggs.” The homophony of the word "noodles" with "life" and "face" in Chinese signifies the wish for a peaceful and prosperous life, symbolizing good fortune and longevity for the new year.

The pursuit of ceremonial feelings during the New Year is vividly reflected in this bowl of noodles. In recent years, netizens have joked, "No native can go without a bowl of 'Line Noodles' on the first day of New Year.” “Line Noodles” have become an irreplaceable delicacy in Pingtan's traditional festivals and etiquette. They serve as a bridge connecting modernity with tradition and act as a bond that maintains social relationships.

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