Lin Shulan meticulously arranges Pea Noodles.

In the bustling lobby of a hotel in Longhai Village, Pingtan, an island off the coast of eastern China's Fujian Province, an unexpected sight piqued the delight of the guests—Pingtan Sweet Potato Noodles and Pea Noodles nestled in exquisite gift boxes. These delicacies are the creation of Lin Shulan, a guardian of Pingtan's intangible cultural heritage.

"The ingredients for the sweet potato noodles are meticulously selected—only the highest-quality Pingtan sweet potatoes make the cut," Lin Shulan declares. The art of making these noodles has been passed down through generations, from her grandmother to her mother, and now to her. "Mixing steamed sweet potatoes with sweet potato starch to form a dough, rolling it into sheets, and then cutting them into even strips might sound simple, but there's a knack to every step. For instance, the thickness of the rolled sheets must be precisely controlled between 3 to 4 millimeters."

Her dedication paid off in June 2023, when Pingtan Sweet Potato Noodles were officially added to the district's intangible cultural heritage list, solidifying Lin's status as an inheritor of the craft.

Complementing the Sweet Potato Noodles are her Pea Noodles, a dish steeped in local nostalgia. "My grandparents adored them," recalls Pingtan resident Chen Daosheng. "They'd simmer the noodles in sweet potato starch broth, insisting it was wholesome. Growing up eating them, I acquired a taste for it too." Once a rare street food, the noodles now line storefronts across the island.

Lin Shulan has been making Pea Noodles for over a decade, her passion unabated. "I wanted to keep these local flavors alive and share them with more people," she says. Her efforts have paid off, as demand for her noodles has surged. Now, they are featured in seafood restaurants and hotels across the region.

These traditional noodles have gained newfound popularity as part of festive gift boxes adorned with the words "Pingtan Specialty, Gift of Health." "Customers frequently request boxed sets to gift to friends and family. I decided to package the noodles as holiday gifts, and the response has been overwhelming," Lin Shulan beams.

Unlike luxurious seafood or premium supplements, the affordability and nostalgic charm of Lin Shulan's noodles have captured the hearts of many.