In the West, connoisseurs willingly pay a premium to savor cheeses with odors so strong that lesser mortals may be felled with just a whiff, but which are prized for their rich complexity of taste. In China, a similar appreciation exists for luosifen, which is known for its aggressive fermented aroma.
Luosifen, or river snail rice noodles, is an iconic dish with a pungent smell. Originating in Liuzhou in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, luosifen typically includes pickled bamboo shoots, fresh vegetables and peanuts, all served in a spicy broth flavored with river snails.
As global interest in China grows, appreciation for this richly flavored culinary creation is being shared by a growing number of foreigners who want to embrace the complexity of Chinese cuisine.
