Chu noodles in Bac Giang are the pride of Thu Duong craft village, where the quintessence of traditional cuisine has been preserved for hundreds of years. Although it no longer holds a unique position in modern meals, the value of Chu noodles still lies in its pure flavor, the meticulousness in each stage and the dedication of the craftsmen. How to preserve and promote the value of Chu noodles in the ever-changing pace of life? That is a problem not only for the craft village people but also for those who love Vietnamese culinary culture.
Chu Noodles – The mark of a long-standing craft village
Thu Duong village (Luc Ngan, Bac Giang) is the cradle of Chu noodles, where for generations, the ivory-white, soft noodles have become the pride of the people. The main ingredient to make Chu noodles is Bao Thai Hong rice – a specialty rice variety of the mountainous region, giving the noodles a characteristic rich aroma.
The deliciousness of Chu noodles comes from the meticulousness of each step. The rice is carefully selected, washed and soaked overnight to soften, then ground into a fine watery flour. This flour is spread thinly into layers, steamed in a large boiler, then dried on bamboo racks in the natural sunlight. When the cake is dry enough, the worker cuts it into even noodles, and continues to dry it again to achieve the perfect crunchiness. No preservatives, no additives – just rice, water and the skill of human hands.
What makes Chu noodles different is the completely handmade processing method. Each noodle is imbued with the passion of the maker, from the rice selection, to the rice paper making, to the sun drying stage. The noodles are dried on traditional bamboo trays, fully exposed to natural sunlight and wind, creating a unique flavor that no other type of noodles can replace.
What to do to keep the village fire burning?
Nowadays, in the era of convenience foods, Chu noodles are gradually losing ground to industrial products. Many young people are no longer familiar with the image of Chu noodles in their meals, but instead are drawn to instant noodles. This poses a big challenge for those in the profession: Preserving a traditional product while still adapting to modern trends.
To prevent Chu noodles from being lost, Thu Duong villagers have made efforts to innovate while still maintaining the traditional core. Some producers have invested in advanced drying technology, helping to preserve noodles longer while still ensuring quality. Local businesses have also actively put their products on e-commerce platforms and promoted them on social networks to reach young customers.
In addition, organizing tours to craft villages is also a new direction. Visitors coming here not only witness the noodle making process but can also experience the production stages themselves, creating connections and enhancing cultural values.
Not only stopping at preserving the craft village, there needs to be support policies so that people can continue to stick with the profession. Authorities can help promote products more widely, support loans for production households who want to expand their scale, and especially guide people on how to improve product quality to suit modern needs.
My Chu – Not just a dish, but a part of heritage
A bowl of hot, delicious Chu noodles is not just a dish but also carries the story of a craft village, of people who have spent their whole lives with rice flour and fire. The image of trays of noodles drying in the sun, the hands nimbly cutting the noodles, the clacking sound of handmade bamboo knives… all create a space imbued with nostalgia.
With its unique values, Chu noodles are not only a food but also a part of Vietnamese cultural identity. It is associated with the memories of many generations, a simple but meaningful gift from the countryside that everyone wants to bring back when having the opportunity to visit Bac Giang.
To preserve and develop Chu Bac Giang noodles, it requires the cooperation of not only the craftsmen but also the community. Choose Chu noodles not only for its taste but also for the love of a beautiful Vietnamese culture. Only when we truly cherish and respect, can Chu noodles continue to last through time.
Can Chu noodles regain its position? The answer depends on how we cherish traditional values and bring them to more people together!
