- Just outside of Taipei,
amongst endless rows of misty tea plantations,
situated atop a lush, green mountain,
is a handmade noodle operation sure to make you regret
any moment you took a noodle for granted.
Here, masters of the craft spend their days
in a coordinated dance,
not unlike that of a theatrical performance.
Stomping, pulling, hanging, cutting.
This is noodle mountain.
We just arrived and the owner could not be more kind.
This place is wonderful.
We're gonna start making the noodles
and I cannot wait to dive in.
I've never seen anything like this.
- They've invited Iz to try her hand at stretching noodles.
- No, no, no, no.
Okay. - Okay.
- [Johnny] Yes.
(Johnny sighs)
- That is exhausting.
They are like, that's just exercising all day. (laughs)
Okay, now that we've made the noodles,
we're gonna have a noodle feast.
This place is wonderful, take a look at these dishes.
This one in particular is made with a grain
that's grown in this area.
It's actually a red grain, which creates the pink noodle.
And it's used most commonly for wine.
The sauce on this is a tea oil, which is very appropriate
considering we are in the land of tea plantations.
And that texture? - Mm, they're so chewy,
but like so soft.
- (warbles) These are superpower moon noodles.
Don't you dare take them.
Don't eat them. - Don't you eat 'em.
Don't you eat 'em.
- Don't. - Don't you eat 'em.
- They just brought this out.
I'm so excited about it,
and a little thrown by how intense it is.
It looks like we're gonna cut this open.
Oh my gosh.
This is one of the best things I've ever tasted.
The crispiness of the outer,
the chewiness of the noodles inside,
just like swirled around and layered.
The meat is flavored perfectly.
This sauce as well, just adds a sweet, salty element to it.
That just takes it up 10 notches
which I didn't even think was possible 'cause it's so good.
Okay, after all of that, we are now gonna try the noodles
down this slide, what, what?
They basically put them in through the kitchen.
They cook as they come down the water.
So you catch them with the green chopsticks.
Put them into your bowl with the flavoring and sauce.
Eat them with the black chopsticks.
I hope I can catch them.
It would be so sad to see them just go down the chute.
It would be embarrassing too. (buzzer buzzes)
Oh!
- So wonderful, so beautiful.
That brings our experience to a close.
I don't think I can say it better than he did.
This is a beautiful, special experience
to not only witness, but participate in,
in one of the most beautiful places.
Taiwan has been an absolute joy.
The people have been so kind.
The views have been exceptional.
My heart is full, thank you for watching.