Dawn broke, and thin mist slowly dispersed like gauze through the streets and alleys of Luoyang City. Sunlight spilled over the flagstones of Jicui Street, breathing life into the long thoroughfare as voices rose and cooking smoke curled upward. Shops stood side by side like scales on a fish, and the aromas of all manner of snacks mingled in the air.
At the Gu Duo'er stall, the vendor deftly dropped little lumps of dough into a boiling cauldron, set out a row of large bowls, and briskly added sesame oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings. Once the Gu Duo'er had bobbed and rolled in the boiling water, he scooped them out with a wire skimmer and ladled milky bone broth over them. Fragrance instantly spread in every direction, bringing passersby to a halt.
At the neighboring Hu Flatbread stall, a bare-chested man vigorously slapped and kneaded dough, his arm muscles rippling with each movement. A woman worked seamlessly beside him, using bamboo tongs to lift golden, crisp Hu Flatbread from the stone griddle. The densely scattered sesame seeds gleamed with oil in the morning light, giving off a mouthwatering toasted aroma.
"Sizzle-" The oil pot sang merrily as the fried-dough vendor stretched the dough into long, slender strips and deftly slipped them into the hot oil. He gently turned them with long chopsticks, and within moments, glossy golden dough sticks came out to drain, releasing an enticing fried fragrance.
All along the street, stuffed pancakes sizzled on iron griddles, savory aromas drifted from bamboo steamers full of buns, and pan-fried buns blossomed with golden, crisp bottoms. The rich scent of tofu soup made mouths water. Merchants and gentlemen who had risen early sat leisurely before the stalls, sipping soy milk or oil tea with a dish of pickles and a