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Yao Ming enjoys Ciwu noodles at a local restaurant in Zhuji, a county-level city in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]

Shaoxing's specialty Ciwu noodles has won the favor of another celebrity. Chinese basketball icon Yao Ming had two servings of the noodles at a restaurant in Zhuji, a county-level city in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province, on April 30.

Yao first ordered a bowl of noodles that came with three seasonal delicacies before ordering another bowl containing shrimp and eel.

In a video posted on social media, Yao, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, appeared to enjoy the noodles so much that he even packed some for CBA staff who were busy organizing the 2020-21 CBA finals in Zhuji.

Yao Ming poses for a photo with staff members of the noodle restaurant in Zhuji. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]

Ciwu noodles originated from Zhuji's Ciwu town, which is located near Hangzhou and has a history of over 600 years.

Local records suggest that the Ming Dynasty's (1368-1644) founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang used Ciwu as a staging area during the siege of Hangzhou. During that period, most of the local shops were closed as they refused to serve the troops.

However, one noodle shop owner agreed to feed the hungry troops. The noodles that he served were made from wheat dough and complemented with vegetables and pork that were fried with lard.

The emperor and his troops loved the noodles so much that they promised to return when Hangzhou was conquered. The reputation of Ciwu noodles has since spread far and wide.

A bowl of Ciwu noodles. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]