Foodies Flock to Chinese Funeral Home for Viral Noodle Dish

Food enthusiasts in China are traveling to Erlong Funeral Home in Guizhou after a noodle dish served there went viral online.

In an unexpected turn of events, diners in China are heading to an unusual venue to satisfy their culinary cravings—a funeral home. The Erlong Funeral Home, located in the southwestern province of Guizhou, has become a sought-after spot after a particular noodle dish gained immense popularity on social media.

The canteen at Erlong typically serves meals to clients and families involved in funeral arrangements. However, after word spread about the deliciousness of its noodles, a wave of foodies began flocking to the establishment, some even pretending to be relatives of the deceased. The home’s staff noted that the queue for food was sometimes longer than that for paying respects to the deceased.

Erlong officials have now adapted to this unexpected trend, announcing that they would provide a limited number of noodle bowls to the public—50 bowls daily—for free, with the stipulation that these diners must not disturb those who are genuinely there to mourn. The noodles, which cost 10 yuan (approximately $1.38 or £1.09), are especially popular when topped with minced pork and peanuts.

Despite initial hesitance, one worker shared with Jiupai News that managing the large crowds has been a challenge, as it can be difficult to differentiate between actual mourners and food enthusiasts, especially during busy hours.

The social media buzz surrounding Erlong's noodles began earlier this month when a user posted about their friend's good experience at the funeral home's canteen. Soon after, many users across platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) began sharing their encounters and experiences enjoying the noodles.

While the unexpected popularity is a boon for the food scene in Guizhou, it also raises questions about the intersection of cultural practices surrounding death and modern food trends, as more people seek to experience the novelty of dining in such an unconventional setting.