Chris > wrote in
:

> I've enjoyed a delicious soup at an Asian restaurant called P.F.
> Chang's here in Los Angeles, which they call Pin Rice Noodle Soup.
> I've been able to replicate the recipe with the exception that I can't
> find the type of noodles that give the soup it's name. In doing a bit
> of research on them, I've found these clues.

P. F. Changs? Chinese food for yuppies. Its a white table cloth
chain.

> Pin rice noodles are also known as "silver needle" noodles, "silver
> pin" noodles, or "rat-tail" noodles. Asian names include "mee tye
> bak", "nen dzem fen", and "loh shee fun". They are a round rice noodle
> and are usually home made. Any rice noodle will do as a substitute,
> although round is preferred; Laksa noodles can also be used.

Beg to differ. Silver needles are quite distinctive in texture.
Nothing quite like them I've ever seen.

> Armed with this information I have checked every large market and
> Asian specialty market I can find, but have still come up empty. An
> Internet search of was also unsuccessful. Does anyone know where they
> are available? The texture of this noodle is an important part of the
> dish. Any help would be appreciated.

My favo(u)rite dish in all the world involves silvery noodles
in a variant of Lo Mai Guy ( Sticky Rice commonly ) under glass.
Only ever seen it in three places though ( Montreal, Toronto,
and San Francisco ).

IBM