Cold Jelly Noodles (Liang Fen)

AI Gourmet Analysis

Liangfen (Chinese Grass Jelly)

Liangfen is one of China's representative traditional chilled desserts, with subtle differences in ingredients and seasoning depending on the region. It is especially popular during the summer months. Particularly in the southern and southwestern regions of China, as well as in cities and rural areas of South China, it is commonly found at roadside stalls, markets, and eateries. In lively, art-filled streets like Dafen Oil Painting Village in Shenzhen, liangfen is also cherished as a classic summer snack.

Overview and Origins

The prototype of liangfen is a cold dessert with medicinal qualities that has been enjoyed in China since before the Common Era. It has developed uniquely across several provinces, including Sichuan, Yunnan, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The main ingredients differ: sometimes wheat or pea starch is used, but in the South China area, liangfen typically refers to a jelly made by boiling mesona (commonly known as grass jelly, Mesona chinensis Benth.) until it sets into an agar-like gel. The name "liangfen" literally means "cool powder," reflecting its place in the culture of foods that help beat the heat.

Production Method and Characteristics

Mesona is a plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). When boiled, it produces a dark, near-black jelly-like liquid. This liquid is strained, then chilled and cut into squares or strips once it has set. Its appearance is nearly black, with a glossy transparency—a characteristic that comes from its rich polyphenol and mineral content. In China, it is sometimes called the "black jewel."

There are many ways to eat liangfen. In South China cities like Shenzhen, liangfen is usually served in a clear container with syrup, brown sugar, honey, and sometimes toppings like beans or tapioca. It is typically served cold, offering a refreshing sweetness along with the subtle fragrance and gentle bitterness distinctive to mesona. This characteristic bitterness is said to stimulate the appetite, provide a cooling sensation in hot weather, and has made liangfen popular as a food suited to aiding digestion and regulating body temperature.

Spread Across Regions and Cultures

Liangfen is widely enjoyed not only in China but also across the broader Chinese-speaking world, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is often known in English as "Grass Jelly" or "Herbal Jelly." In Japan as well, it is increasingly available at Asian grocery stores and eateries as "sensō jelly," and it is popular as a topping for dessert drinks similar to bubble tea. In Taiwan and elsewhere, there are variations with added fruit, red beans, or condensed milk, transforming it into a parfait-style dessert.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Mesona, the main ingredient in liangfen, is a plant-based natural food rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It is expected to help prevent lifestyle diseases, promote beautiful skin, and aid digestion. Its relatively low calorie content and flexible sweetness make it a healthy snacking option.

Local Experiences and the Diversity of Food Culture

The author enjoyed liangfen in Dafen Oil Painting Village in Shenzhen—a locale also famous as an artistic town where creativity and diverse international street foods coexist. Liangfen embodies the local sense of aesthetics and practicality, serving as refreshment and an energy boost between art appreciation sessions. Compared with other regions, in Shenzhen the street-style, simple way of enjoying liangfen is mainstream, with the natural sweetness of brown sugar or clear syrup standing out.