🍽️ Mianyang Rice Noodle

Beef rice noodles in red broth, north Sichuan.

Mianyang Rice Noodle is the classic breakfast of Mianyang, in northern Sichuan. It centres on extra-thin local rice vermicelli, fine as thread, soft and slippery and quick to absorb broth. Soups come in red or clear: the red version, topped with braised beef or pork intestines, is seasoned with broad-bean paste and spices for a spicy, numbing savouriness, while the clear version uses chicken or three-delicacy stock for a milder, fresher taste. Common toppings include stewed beef, red-braised intestines and bamboo shoots, finished with chili oil, scallion and peas. A warming bowl is how northern Sichuan starts the day; noodle shops line the streets, eaten in or taken away, capturing the everyday taste of Mianyang.