Youyixuan Rice Noodles (Yiren Road head store)

Youyixuan Rice Noodles is the head store of a local Guilin rice noodle brand, set at No. 5 Yiren Road in Xiufeng District, close to the Zhengyang Bell Tower and beside a KFC. The location puts it in the middle of the old commercial core of Guilin, in Guangxi, China, where rice noodles (mi fen) are the defining everyday food. Guilin rice noodles are round, springy noodles served in a spiced bone broth or dry with a ladle of braised stock, then topped with meat, pickled bamboo shoots, peanuts and chilli oil. The shop is best known for its horse-meat rice noodles (ma rou mi fen), a regional variation that sits alongside the classic bowl with braised toppings. Horse meat is a long-standing Guilin tradition, usually sliced thin, braised until tender and laid over the noodles. Diners who prefer other proteins can order the classic bowl with braised pork or beef toppings. The cuisine here is plain, local and quick rather than chef-driven, and there is no Michelin or fine-dining lineage; the draw is a bowl made the way residents eat it for breakfast, lunch or a late snack. The dining room is simple and functional, with basic tables, fast turnover and a steady flow of locals and travellers drawn by the central address. Noise levels are moderate to loud at peak times, and service is counter-style. There is no notable wine or alcohol programme; drinks are limited to soft drinks, tea and bottled water. Reservations are not taken, since the shop is walk-in only and a bowl is typically served within minutes of ordering. Prices are very low even by local standards, at roughly ¥10-20 (about $1.50-3) per bowl, which makes the shop a useful budget stop close to the Two Rivers and Four Lakes sights. Travellers can find the shop by searching the Chinese name 又益轩米粉 on Amap (Gaode), Dianping or Meituan, as English signage may be limited.