Dragon beard noodles facts for kids

Dragon beard noodles (simplified Chinese: 龙须面; traditional Chinese: 龍鬚麵) are a special type of noodle from Shandong province in China. They get their name because they are super long and thin. People say they look just like the beard of a Chinese dragon! These special noodles are often eaten during the Longtaitou Festival. This festival celebrates dragons and happens on the second day of the second month of the Chinese calendar. There's even a fun old custom called "peeling the dragon skin" (bolongpi) that people do.

Dragon Beard Noodles: A Chinese Treat

A Noodle's Tale: History of Dragon Beard Noodles

People believe these amazing noodles were first made by a chef for the emperor during the Ming dynasty. During a special spring day called lichun, the chef made some very long and thin noodles. The emperor loved them! Soon, these noodles became popular with everyone, even regular people.

Because dragons are important in Chinese culture, these noodles started to be eaten during the Longtaitou Festival. This festival means "dragon raising its head." It celebrates dragons and their important role in bringing the spring rains.

How Dragon Beard Noodles Are Made

Making dragon beard noodles is a special process. It takes a lot of skill! Here are the main steps:

• Dough making: First, a special dough is prepared.
• Pulling into noodles: Then, the dough is carefully pulled and stretched. It becomes incredibly long and thin, like a dragon's beard!
• Deep frying: Finally, the noodles are often deep-fried. This makes them crispy and delicious.