Hsinchu's Famous Rice Noodles

Any foreigner that comes to Hsinchu must be shown the famous rice noodles. There are many shops located in and around the "Food Temple" only sell these noodles and soup. What makes them different from the other noodles found in Taiwan you ask? To make "rice noodles", the maker should press the dough to make thin noodles, which are then steamed until they are cooked. The rice noodles are usually very thin, have a distinctive taste, and served dry with little soy sauce.
HISTORY:
The history of these noodles is quite extensive and long. I will try and give you the condienced version. The people who used to live in Northern China used to make noodles with rice when the Chinese started to emigrate to Taiwan they brought this style of making noodles with them. The reason these noodles became so popular was their convenience of cooking and eating. If guest visited you these type of noodles were easy to prepare, and they were also easy bring along when traveling.

WHY HSINCHU?
If you have ever lived in Hsinchu you know that it can be a very windy city. Mix the scanty rainfall and the weed you get the best condistions for making rice noodles. Especially, from October through January the air is cold and low in humidity. If there is a little sunshine, the rice noodle makers will regard it as the best rice noodle making time.