GOING INTERNATIONAL
In recent years, amid the growing global appeal of Chinese culture, noodles have garnered a rising international following.
In Shanghai, chefs from countries like Italy and Spain visited local restaurants, from iconic skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower to hidden alleyway eateries, to learn about traditional Chinese noodle-making techniques. They then skillfully combined these methods with Western innovations, creating fusion dishes that resonate across cultures.
Meanwhile, traditional Chinese noodles are steadily making their way into major foreign markets.
Last year, a Chinese vendor in Belgium selling noodles with peas and meat sauce went viral on social media, generating substantial daily revenue. In Germany and Britain, Lanzhou beef noodle restaurants saw crowded lines of local residents eager to taste the authentic Chinese dish.
Guo Zhanglong, 38, had lived in France for over a decade before his mother-in-law visited. A native of Shanxi's Datong City, the home of knife-sliced noodles, she once impressed local workers by skillfully wielding a knife to cut noodles directly into a boiling pot. "Does every Chinese know Kung Fu?" they asked in astonishment.
In 2022, Guo and his family began selling sliced noodles at a humble outdoor market booth, a venture that quickly grew into a full-fledged restaurant. By October 2023, "Kongfu Pate" officially opened in downtown Paris, and within six months, a second outlet had launched near the Louvre Museum.
"Good food knows no borders," Guo said, adding that he blends authentic traditional flavors with dishes that charm French diners. During local festive occasions, patrons are often seen sitting, squatting, or standing as they savor the noodles.
For many, these noodles are more than just food: they serve as a gateway to Chinese culture. "This is particularly true amid the recent 'Becoming Chinese' trend, where people from different countries have embraced Chinese lifestyle practices," said Liu Dangcheng who has noticed an increase of international tourists in local noodle restaurants.
Guo was delighted to know that some customers were so inspired that they later traveled to China, exploring Shanxi and other regions for themselves.
"We are proud to contribute to the exchanges between people in France and China," he said. "With increased communication, there is bound to be more understanding among everyone."
