Located in southwestern Guizhou, the Erlong Funeral Home initially catered exclusively to those attending services, offering a variety of noodle dishes at just 10 yuan per bowl, which equates to around $1.38. The most sought-after dish features noodles topped with minced pork and peanuts. However, as word spread of the dish's popularity, outsiders began to arrive, leading to long queues, with some waiting for upwards of two hours.
A worker at the funeral home noted the challenge of distinguishing real mourners from food-seeking diners in the crowded spaces. Responding to the increased interest, Erlong decided to allocate 50 bowls of noodles daily to the public at no charge, provided it does not disrupt ongoing memorial services.
The culinary trend reportedly kicked off when a user on social media shared their experience of visiting the canteen. Their post on Xiaohongshu, a platform similar to Instagram, drew attention as they recounted others waiting in line for noodles that outnumbered those attending funeral ceremonies—a phenomenon that resonates with other users reminiscing about the delicious dish on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
Despite the unconventional setting, the rise of gourmet offerings at a funeral home has sparked conversations surrounding culinary exploration, evoking both amusement and curiosity among diners.
In the wake of this noodle craze, the dynamics of food culture continue to evolve, showcasing the lengths enthusiasts will go to for a taste of something deemed exceptional, even in the most unexpected locations.
A worker at the funeral home noted the challenge of distinguishing real mourners from food-seeking diners in the crowded spaces. Responding to the increased interest, Erlong decided to allocate 50 bowls of noodles daily to the public at no charge, provided it does not disrupt ongoing memorial services.
The culinary trend reportedly kicked off when a user on social media shared their experience of visiting the canteen. Their post on Xiaohongshu, a platform similar to Instagram, drew attention as they recounted others waiting in line for noodles that outnumbered those attending funeral ceremonies—a phenomenon that resonates with other users reminiscing about the delicious dish on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
Despite the unconventional setting, the rise of gourmet offerings at a funeral home has sparked conversations surrounding culinary exploration, evoking both amusement and curiosity among diners.
In the wake of this noodle craze, the dynamics of food culture continue to evolve, showcasing the lengths enthusiasts will go to for a taste of something deemed exceptional, even in the most unexpected locations.
