"Guo Qiang Lan Zhou La Mian": "Noodle lovers: 兰州拉面" Beijing Restaurant Tip by xuessium

"Guo Qiang Lan Zhou La Mian" [国强兰州拉面]

This will appeal to noodle lovers.

This is a Chinese dish of hand-made noodles, usually served in a beef or mutton-flavored soup. Literally, 拉 (lā) means to pull or stretch, while 面 (miàn) means noodle. The hand-making process involves taking a lump of dough and repeatedly stretching it to produce a single very long noodle.

Small restaurants serving Lanzhou-style La Mian are very common in eastern Chinese cities. They tend to serve a variety of cheap meals, with a choice of La Mian, 'Dao Xiao Mian' (刀削面, knife-sliced noodles) and perhaps Xi'an-style 'Pao Mo' (泡饃, steamed bread). Noodles may be served with beef or mutton, either in soup or stir-fried. The majority of these La Mian restaurants are owned by Hui ethnicity families from Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, and serve only halal food (thus no pork dishes).

There is almost no decor to mention: white tiles and plain tables and chairs.

Favorite Dish: This eatery is not exactly Halal as they serve braised dog meat, a dish that is Haram under Islamic laws.

My mate, who had never tried the noodle was keen to try and hence our visit to one.

The springy hand-made noodles were served in a light clear beef broth with the faintest of cumin notes, served with fresh slices of beef and radishes.

Not appreciating stomaching dog (he, not me), me and my mate opted for a compromise and opted for braised donkey meat, which turned out to be something in between beef and pork....but just as tasty, doused in a prickly spicy sauce.

Comparison: least expensive
Directions: In an alley, just after the People's Hall (Chinese Parliament), opposite Tiananmen Square, towards Qian Men.
Price: less than US$10
Rating: 3
Theme: Local