Quanzhou, May 16 — Yesterday marked a milestone for Anxi Hutou Stir-Fried Rice Noodles, a dish steeped in rich history and culture, as it embarked on a journey from the local fields to the global skies. Starting May 15, first-class and business-class passengers on Xiamen Airlines can enjoy authentic Anxi Hutou Rice Noodles during their flight, showcasing this culinary heritage to the world.

Plain Stir-Fried Hutou Rice Noodles (Quanzhou Evening News Archive)

　　A Heritage Dish with Global Ambitions

　　The inclusion of Hutou Rice Noodles on Xiamen Airlines' menu is a testament to its unwavering commitment to high-quality ingredients and traditional craftsmanship. According to Wang Xiaopeng, Director of the Anxi County Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Hutou Rice Noodles, a representative of Anxi's culinary heritage, begins with meticulous ingredient selection. Only top-grade local indica rice is chosen, which must be stored for six months to a year to bring out its full character. Production relies on natural mineral spring water from Wulang Mountain and follows a time-honoured process: selecting rice, soaking, grinding into rice milk, steaming, moulding, and sun-drying.

Grinding rice into a paste for Hutou Rice Noodles.

Cooling down the rice noodles (Photo by Chen Jifeng).

Sun-drying the rice noodles (Photo by Hu Weixian).

　　Beyond the grinding, mixing, and pressing steps that utilise modern tools, all other production stages remain fully handcrafted, preserving the noodles' nutritional value. Authentic Hutou Rice Noodles boast a lustrous, semi-translucent appearance, a delicate yet resilient texture, and a fresh rice fragrance. Whether stir-fried or boiled, they deliver an outstanding culinary experience—a true embodiment of southern Fujian's traditional flavours. These qualities made them stand out among many contenders for inclusion in Xiamen Airlines' inflight cuisine.

　　Another factor behind their selection is the strong brand recognition Hutou Rice Noodles enjoy. With a stellar reputation for quality and cultural significance, they have consistently impressed both markets and heritage communities. In 2009, they earned certification as a National Geographical Indication Product. In 2024, the production technique was added to Quanzhou's seventh list of municipal intangible cultural heritage, and Anxi's plain stir-fried Hutou Rice Noodles were included in the "Geographical Signature Food Directory." That same year, the dish also won the prestigious 2024 "National Quality Goods — One County, One Product" award. These accolades cemented the noodles' reputation and paved the way for their entry onto Xiamen Airlines' menu.

　　A Gateway for Local Cuisine to Take Flight

　　The partnership between Hutou Rice Noodles and Xiamen Airlines is the result of concerted efforts by multiple departments in Anxi County. Under the guidance of the Anxi County Party Committee and Government, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Anxi Cultural Tourism Group, and the Hutou Rice Noodles Industry Development Association worked together, launching several promotional visits to Xiamen Airlines. During these exchanges, they highlighted the noodles' superior quality, production process, and cultural heritage, fostering a deep understanding among the airline's catering team.

　　Lin Lianggen, Chairman of Anxi Cultural Tourism Group, noted:

　　"Xiamen Airlines' extensive passenger base and strong brand presence create tremendous exposure opportunities for Hutou Rice Noodles and other local specialties, helping Anxi's premium agricultural products reach a broader market."

　　Following thorough discussions and consultations, both parties reached a cooperation agreement.

　　This collaboration goes beyond inflight dining. According to Wang Xiaopeng, Hutou Rice Noodles will soon be available on Xiamen Airlines' in-flight catering app and its official Douyin (TikTok) store, allowing customers to order the noodles directly from Hutou Town. This creates a seamless "taste-discovery-purchase" experience. Anxi County also plans to refine the noodles' production in line with market demands and consumer feedback—preserving the traditional taste while continuously enhancing quality.

　　Lin Lianggen expressed high hopes for the partnership:

　　"We also plan to produce promotional videos in collaboration with Xiamen Airlines' catering team, leveraging the airline's vast network to further elevate the Hutou Rice Noodles brand. This will help bring this signature Anxi dish to travellers nationwide—and eventually, worldwide—achieving the goal of 'taking flight' to global audiences."

　　Anxi County aims to continue expanding cooperation models, exploring opportunities to bring more local delicacies like Guanqiao Dried Tofu to the airline industry, and fostering deeper integration of local cuisine with tourism. These efforts will help showcase Anxi's cultural and culinary heritage to the world, enabling more premium agricultural products from Anxi to "take off" and reach international travellers.

　　Industry insiders believe that for overseas Fujianese passengers, Hutou Rice Noodles serve as a powerful reminder of home, offering a comforting taste of heritage and identity during their journeys. For non-Fujianese passengers, the noodles offer a window into the unique flavours of Fujian and a chance to experience the region's culinary charm firsthand.