Swiss travel blogger’s first taste of Yunnan rice noodles

In July, Sam Schaer and Jenny Brunner of Switzerland indulged in the exquisite tradition of crossing-the-bridge rice noodles (guoqiao mixian) at a restaurant in Kunming, Yunnan province. Surrounded by a tempting array of side dishes, they found themselves enchanted by the unique ritual of this local delicacy.

Legend traces the origins of crossing-the-bridge rice noodles to Mengzi, Yunnan province, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with a history spanning over 100 years. The dish involves adding uncooked rice noodles, thin slices of raw meat, and fresh vegetables into a steaming hot broth, which cooks the ingredients on the spot and brings the dish to life.