Sichuan Buddhist Noodle (Zhai Mian) — Vegetarian Street Noodles
Chengdu, Sichuan Province — Buddhist festival tradition
Zhai mian (斋面) — Buddhist vegetarian noodles — is a Chengdu street food tradition on temple visiting days and festivals. The noodle has all the Sichuan flavour complexity (sesame paste, chili oil, vinegar, garlic) but no meat. Instead, the umami comes from ya cai (preserved mustard vegetable), broad bean paste, mushroom stock, and sesame paste. A test of Sichuan flavour-building without animal products.