Colossal cup of ‘smelly’ instant noodles sets record in China

A supersized cup of instant luosifen (‘snail rice noodles’), has been created in China by food company Guangxi Luobawang Food Technology Co.

Standing at a height of 1.32 metres (4.3 ft) and weighing 51 kg (112 lb), it is the world’s largest cup of instant rice noodle ever made.

It was made with all the same ingredients and seasonings as the standard-sized version, including vinegar, chilli oil, peanuts, sour bamboo shoots, dried tofu skin, and bean curd sticks.

After being awarded the world record, the large luosifen cup was consumed in the company’s canteen by staff.

Luosifen, famed for its strong smell, is a local delicacy originating from the city of Liuzhou, Guangxi, and it’s now a national favourite across China.

It consists of boiled rice noodles served in a soup made by stewing river snails and pork bones for several hours.

The snails give the soup a mildly sweet flavour, which can be enhanced with various herbs and spices such as black cardamom, fennel seeds, dried tangerine peel and star anise. 

Importantly, only Liuzhou rice noodles are used to make luosifen. The noodles, made from aged rice that has lost its fat and gelatin, are cooked al dente and placed in cold water before being added to the broth.

The dish’s distinctive aroma – often described as faecal-like – comes from the pickled bamboo shoots which are added as a topping.

Despite the pungent scent – or perhaps because of it – luosifen's popularity has grown hugely in recent years.

It was traditionally a dish found in small "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants, however, it has now transcended local boundaries, reaching luxury restaurants and international locations.

Packaged instant luosifen is equally popular, with mass production of it beginning in late 2014, making it a staple in households across China. Sales surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and today, over 2.5 million packets are produced daily.

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