Crispy Noodles of Jiaodong—Not just Delicious Food
Updated: 2008-04-14 13:55
On the seventh evening of July, residents in Jiaodong mix various sweeties into the crispy noodles and fry them in mild fire to serve to children. Grandmothers of Jiaodong children often make a kind of crispy noodle called “Song Bai Sui” (For the hundredth day) to them on the hundredth day after their birth. The noodles were made in appearance of the tiger, sweet osmanthus, drums and candy, in hopes their children lead a healthy and eventful life. Some nannies even make hundred flower-shaped crispy noodles for their children hoping they live a hundred years and create huge wealth.
Crispy noodles also play a pivotal role in Jiaodong wedding ceremonies. After the engagement, The bridegroom-to-be has to give 20 peach-shaped Bo bo (crispy noodles similar to cake) to the bride while the bride sends her own noodles in return in shape of dragons, phoenixes, mandarin docks, goldfish and butterflies. When the bridegroom meets his father-in-law and picks up the bride, he must bring 8 Bo bo and a chicken with him. A piece of red paper must be stuck on each Bo bo afterwards to express the couple’s wish to live to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss.
Next time, when “the food or souvenir” confusion pops out, don’t waste your time on working out an answer, just grab it and keep it - you’ll never regret.
By Hu Zhicheng
