[Guilin Rice Noodles]
Perhaps Guilin’s best known dish is mifen or rice noodles. With a history of some 2,000 plus years, legend has it that Guilin’s rice noodles were created to meet the need of northern soldiers who found themselves fighting in the south of China, but unable (or maybe just unwilling) to partake of the rice. Under the orders of their general, rice noodles were invented, and have become a staple in China and surrounding countries. Mifen noodles are served in broth and topped with pickled vegetables, peanuts, soybeans, green onions, and chili flakes. The most popular Guilin Mifen is boiled rice noodles served with braised beef slices, crispy deep-fried pork belly and soybeans, sausage, peanut oil, and topped with freshly chopped chili, minced garlic, green onions, and pickled vegetables.