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Let's go to the local "Brothers Jiang" resturant for a good hot bowl of Noodles!? (THE REAL NOODLE EXPERIENCE PHOTO ALBUM... not to confused with other imitations out there)
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The Brothers Jiang is a chain of resturants with a popular traditional theme.
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The resturant can be very busy and this partucular location has five floors
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You pay on the way in and make your choices in the windows either side of the doors.
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But be warned not to eat too many noodles or you may develope a "spare tire!"
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Pass your Chinese RMB (Ren Min Bi=People Currency) through the window!
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For only 10 Yuan (Ren Min Bi); approximately US$1.20, you receive a package of tissues and a receipt for your bowl of noodles. (why do they always put a strong perfum in the tissues... I have to hold my breath to use them)
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It can be a frenzy to purchase your bowl of noodles.
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The ingredients for "Over the Bridge Noodles" (some say "cross the bridge"). The thin slices of various kinds of meats, some spring onions and do-fu pieces, an egg and a few cashews with the noodles separate.
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Don't forget your chopsticks... the traditional story goes that the wife of scholar would always bring lunch to her husband crossing the bridge to reach him...
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Mix in the meat first and then add the noodles and stir... the scholars wife would find the food cold by the time she arrived to her husband...
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How to eat the noodles "The Pull Method"... so the scholar's wife decided to carry the meat and ingredients separate and then add it to the hot broth after crossing the bridge to her husband.
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An alternative is "The Bite Method" when you want to cut off the noodle flow before you overdo...
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Okay, you folks who live in China, pay attention now, don't get distracted by the "Starbucks" logo... no Starbucks in Yunnan... yet!
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Don really prefers "The Slurp" method of eating noodles... this way you have a way to cool the hot broth and the sound can add to the experience!
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Notice the proper grip on those chopsticks... I know you Westerners think the use of chopsticks is strange but it really makes etiquette sense to take in small amounts of food. (the Chinese have thought of the Western spoon/fork as a "strange" form and also not really "fine" eating etiquette.
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X Wrong X DO NOT TAKE IN TOO MANY NOODLES! It is poor etiquette in any culture... Don has to almost close his eyes to perform this improper method
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Also the people at the table next to you may think you are dangerous or at least a little "noodle-weird"!
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A view from over the noodle bowl
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Between 2 and 4pm the second floor is practically empty!
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A view out the shuttered window next to your table.
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Don suggests you always go for a window as it provides a nice breeze as well as a view of the bustle on Ren Min Xi Lu (Peoples Street, West).
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La Jiao (hot pepper) is a popular condiment additive that can be mixed with your noodles.
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The "mild mix" which is what Don likes. (most Westerners don't even want any La Jiao)
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The "medium mix" is usually still tolerable if you are from Mexico or need to just clear the sinus for the day! (keep your "perfumed" tissues near by though)
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The "Yunnan mix" which is typical of the locals choice for adding the hot pepper... they practically add La jiao to their ice cream here!
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Finished with your noodles, follow with "the Pick" (but pictured is the "uncouth Westerner" fashion with open mouth)NEVER USE IN CHINA OR THEY WILL ASSUME YOU ARE BASICALLY UNEDUCATED...
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The proper way to do "the Pick" after you have finished a great bowl of noodles...
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Cover your "pick-hand" and you can dig as deep as you need in a positively gapping-wide mouth!
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Now comes the final touches to a good noodle afternoon, the hot cup of tea...
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Drink up and cut those greases and experience those wonderful "anti-oxcilates" ahhh... (you could even belch if you are truely satisfied)
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And now for the "Noodle Meditation"... yes ummh, ahhh, thinking such good warm thoughts...
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Ommmmm! ommmmm! (hopfully he will come out of this trance)
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The third floor at Ren Min Xi Lu Brothers Jiang offers a sunny atmosphere for those who enjoy a hot spot are oblivious to melanoma...
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Some parting suggestions; "avoid the little bowls in the windows as you pay at the entrance" unless you are adventurous or need to return to "regularity".
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Don suggests to especially avoid the rubber intestines as they can ruin the "Noodle Experience"! Thanks for visiting and hope you have a noodle moment today....
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Noodles at a street shop in Hong Kong on our way to the US... June 24.
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Tired of those "fake diets" out there? Well finally the "Loveheart "three " the hairdressing reduce weight the tea" diet from... some really dumb tea company who hired... or that is the problem... decided to save the $ and just input the Chinese and press "translate"... auto, instant English!!
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