The Legend Behind Famous Crossing-Bridge Rice Noodles

◎张开兰

米线对于云南人来说，就像空气一样不可或缺。云南的米线花样繁多，最有名的当数过桥米线。过桥米线历经300 多年的传承与发展，已经从“一个人的盛宴”演变成“一座城的盛宴”。你知道过桥米线的来历吗？一起了解下吧！

Long ago,just south of the Yunnan Province of Mengzi,there was a beautiful lake with water as clear as1)jade.In the center of the lake,there was a small island covered in green bamboo and giant trees whose ancient2)stalksreached the heavens.

Known for its natural beauty and pleasant atmosphere,the small island drew many scholars to study for the imperial exams.

Among these scholars was a particularly diligent person.Every day,his wife made the long walk to the lake,crossing the bridge to the island to bring him his midday meal.However,he was frequently so3)engrossedin his studies that he only remembered to eat long after the food had grown cold.

Due to his4)irregulareating habits,the scholar became noticeably thin and his warmhearted wife grew very worried.One day,she had an idea.She butchered a plump hen to make a hot chicken broth,and separately prepared her husband’s favorite local rice noodles,seasonings,and ingredients.

She brought them in different bowls,combining them just before he was ready to eat.On its own,the chicken broth stayed hot enough to cook the rice noodles and other ingredients,and created a thin layer of oil that kept the whole bowl piping hot.

Eventually,the scholar succeeded in passing the imperial exams.Remembering his wife’s great kindness and warmth,he joked that it was his wife’s wonderful rice noodles that helped him pass the exams.

Because there is a bridge to the island,in memory of the virtuous wife,later generations called the delicious food “crossing-bridge rice noodles”.And thus the food symbolizes affection and admiration.

Today,crossing-bridge rice noodles is still considered a Yunnan specialty—and it still comes in separate bowls,allowing you to pick your ingredients and add the hot soup yourself.In Yunnan,this delicious food is so popular that there are varieties of crossing-bridge rice noodles.In 2008,it was listed as an item of intangible cultural heritage of Kunming City.

1) jaden.玉石；翡翠

2) stalkn.茎；秆

3) engrossedadj.全神贯注的

4) irregularadj.不整齐的；不规则的

词组加油站

succeed in doing 成功做某事

很久以前，在云南省蒙自以南的地方有一个美丽的湖泊，湖水清澈如玉。湖中央有一个小岛，岛上长满了翠绿的竹子和古老的参天大树。

这个小岛以自然之美和宜人的环境而闻名，吸引了许多书生来此准备科举考试。

在这些书生中有一个人学习特别勤奋。每天，他的妻子都会长途跋涉到湖边，穿过桥梁到岛上，将午饭送给他。然而，他常常沉迷于学习，以致总是在食物已经变冷之后才记起要吃饭。

由于饮食不规律，他明显变得消瘦，善良的妻子十分担心他。一天，她突然想到了一个主意。她宰杀了一只肥硕的母鸡，熬制了热腾腾的鸡汤，并分别准备了丈夫最喜欢的当地米线、调料和配料。

她将这些装在不同的碗里，等丈夫准备吃时再将这些食材混合在一起。鸡汤本身足够热，可以加热米线和其他配料，同时还会形成一层薄薄的油膜，让整个碗都保持滚烫的温度。

最终，书生成功通过了科举考试。他记得妻子的善良和温暖，开玩笑说正是妻子做的美味的米线帮助他通过了考试。

因为到岛上要经过一座桥，为纪念这位贤惠的妻子，后人将这道美食称为“过桥米线”，这道美食也因此象征着爱意和钦佩。

如今，过桥米线仍然被视为云南的特色美食——它仍然采用分碗盛装的方式，让顾客可以选择自己喜欢的配料，并自行加入热汤。在云南，这道美食非常受欢迎，有各种口味。2008年，这道美食被列入昆明市非物质文化遗产。