Hainan Rice Noodles (Hainan Fen)

Hainan fen is a silk-fine rice noodle, tossed and marinaded with peanuts, sour bamboo, dried beef, pickled greens, sesame, fragrant oil, garlic and a dozen other condiments; locals call it "yanfen" (marinated noodles), the most representative of Hainan's snacks.

Hainan fen is said to have grown from rice-noodle skills brought by Fujianese settlers, maturing in the north of the island at Haikou, Ding'an and Chengmai; it is regarded as the progenitor of the Hainan noodle family and is eaten across Sanya and the whole island.

Eaten dry, the noodles are dressed with a savoury sauce and condiments and tossed through, the strands slippery and deeply flavoured, the toppings layered; it is a common breakfast or late-night meal, found in nearly every noodle shop on Sanya's streets.

The silver-fine rice noodles, the layered richness of a dozen marinaded condiments and the distinctive savoury aroma of "yanfen" set Hainan fen apart from noodles elsewhere.