In an effort to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading, Chinese people continue to order groceries online and cook at home even many of them are gradually getting back to work.
Since not everyone is a "pastry master" and not everyone wants to spend the time cooking, convenience food has seen a huge increase in sales such as instant noodles, frozen dumplings and instant hotpot kits.
River snail rice noodles top the most purchased food items on e-commerce giant Taobao from February 3 to 17. /Taobao
Among the top 20 most purchased food items on e-commerce giant Taobao from February 3 to 17, packaged river snail rice noodles are at the top.
Several famous brands of river snail rice noodles, also known as "luosifen" in Chinese, were out of stock on Taobao, with some products only ready for delivery as late as April 10.
One of the leading brands, Haohuanluo, have sold over 450,000 three-pack luosifen on its Taobao Flagship Store in February.
A bowl of river snail rice noodles. /Taobao
A signature dish of Liuzhou, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the river snail noodles are made from pickled bamboo, dried turnip, fresh vegetables and peanuts, and served in a spicy noodle broth flavored with river snails.
Usually sold at roadside stands or night fairs in Guangxi, river snail noodles received positive responses from customers across the country, which prompted its instant version that allows eaters to cooking it anywhere and anytime instead of visiting a physical store.
A pack of instant luosifen contains dried rice noodles, soup concentrate and classic toppings. /Taobao
The packaged luosifen has become increasingly popular since it hit the market in late 2014 and it has a shelf life ranging from 30 days to six months.
In terms of flavor, luosifen is sour, spicy and salty. But some will definitely frown and cover their noses immediately when the stinky smell hits them. The distinctive odor of the pickled bamboo can smell up the whole room.
Luosifen soup is made from river snails and pork or beef bones. /Weibo
So why doesn't the pungency get in the way of those who are passionate about luosifen?
River snail soup
Like most other Chinese noodles, the soup is what makes the bowl of noodles. The taste of the snail has infused into the soup while boiling with pork or beef bones. The soup is especially delicious with chili oil.
Rich ingredients
Luosifen is a good-looking dish with the collocation of different colored ingredients. The red chili oil, the yellow Yuba (dried bean milk cream in tight rolls), the green vegetables, the black fungus and the white, chewier rice noodles.
Customer share their DIY river snail rice noodles. /Taobao
Easy to cook
Unlike instant noodles, luosifen needs to be boiled, but only for 15 minutes. Since the rice noodles are less starchy and the taste is cleaner, it can be paired with almost anything. Add some fresh vegetables and a boiled egg, you can pamper yourself with a nutritious meal in less than half an hour.
Workers pack instant river snail rice noodles at a factory in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. /VCG
While manufacturers are unable to meet the surge in demand as many employees have not been able to resume work and the supplies of ingredients can't be guaranteed, luosifen fans commented on social media that getting a pack is just as pleasant as getting a face mask.