Lanzhou Beef Noodle

Owner is rude. I asked for a beef soup and they brought me spinach soup. Mala chicken dish disgusting. Service horrible. Restroom dirty...

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

LAN Noodle is a no-frills, you know what you're getting into, homey restaurant. Prices also felt more than reasonable for what you get. I was initially skeptical, but we were quickly seated by a very accommodating server and host who constantly checked on us and took care of us from start to finish, quite well.

I got the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup with Wide Flat Noodles and it was quite good! Better than expected too. I know, I know, the reluctance is showing, ha. The flavor of the soup wasn't groundbreaking, but it was quite pleasant, light, and I couldn't help but keep sipping, one mouthful after the other. Candidly, I can see myself craving this during a rainy day or when I get sick. The noodles were also chewy, wide, and just hit the spot. Disclaimer: I'm a huge fan of wide flat noodles, and they did a really good job here!

Our table also ordered XLB and pan-fried dumplings to share. Both were above average and hit the spot. Overall, if I'm in the area again, I would totally come back again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I was really disappointed with my experience at Lanzhou beef noodle. I wish I had read the 1-star reviews before coming here. The place itself looked dirty, which was already concerning.

I ordered my food to go, but when I opened it, there was a really foul smell. The noodles and soup both had a strange odor. I only managed to eat a few spoonfuls because the taste was just not good at all.

Overall, it was a very unpleasant experience, and unfortunately, I won’t be returning.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Very good. Amazing smashed cucumbers.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

You cannot watch the craftsman's pulling dough to making noodles here if that's your purpose rather than just eat their crafted noodle.

Atmosphere: 1

We ordered the Spicy Beef Noodle, Beef Liang Pi, Xiao Long Bao, Big Plate Chicken, and Braised Pig Ear. Everything was low quality and poorly flavored. Overall, it didn’t meet our expectations.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 3

The place is ok wasn't busy when we went there. Gave very good portion of the beef not like some places.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Should you check this place out?
Yes! Let me say upfront if you want authentic handmade noodles, Lan Noodle is the place to go.

I walked in and immediately saw the cook pulling noodles like he's training for an arm-wrestling tournament. Thirty years of noodle mastery in one pair of forearms. You can smell the dough, hear the slap of noodles hitting the counter, it's got this alive feeling, like the kitchen is mid-performance and you just walked in on the good part.
Braised Beef Noodle Soup

The broth is clear, light, and clean, simmered for hours with beef bones and aromatics. It's not aggressively salty, not heavy, not greasy. Think soothing rather than punch-you-in-the-face. This is the kind of broth where you take a sip first before touching the noodles.
The beef is slow-braised until it's fork-tender, but it still holds shape. Not shredded, not dry, just soft enough to pull apart with chopsticks. Very classic, very traditional.

Then you've got cilantro, green onions, daikon, all there to keep things fresh and balanced. Nothing feels random. Every element has a job.
Lan Noodle's noodles are hand-pulled Lanzhou-style wheat noodles from Northwestern China, and the big thing is texture. These aren't soft, floppy noodles that disappear the second they hit hot broth.

They're springy, elastic, and chewy in a deliberate way.

They also offer multiple shapes. Thin, medium, thick, and wide. Each one changes the experience. Thicker noodles soak up more broth and oil, thinner ones feel lighter and faster. Same dough, different personalities.

Also in many restaurants that use lesser quality noodles, that stick together, LAN noodle's noodles don't. They really feel fresh and high-quality.

The server is super nice and efficient. You're in and out in a jiffy!

Date Spot?
Not for a first date. The server leaves you alone unless you flag him down to get something. But you're in and out too fast to really talk and get to know your date. So, this one's for family, friend or significant other.

Group Spot?
The spot is a little small, though they have some seating outside. I'd say 10 max at this place, so they have room to serve others.

Final Verdict
Lan Noodle is one of those places that doesn't need hype. The food does the talking. If you love hand-pulled noodles, just go. You'll get it.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Omg when I tell you this SOUP IS DELICIOUS. Like everything about this place is amazing. Super clean, amazing people, and amazing food this is the best spot for soup and I love it so much. The staff there are so nice, they talk with you and interact with you sometimes and it’s just soo friendly there.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is the most stingy restaurant I have ever been, their noodle is significantly less than any other noodle restaurant, but price is higher than 99% of other. Not recommend to go this restaurant if have more options. I bring my 2 little kids with spending ~$50, but still not enough food. Very bad experience!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

The guy that served us wears the same pair of gloves to take orders handling the cashier, cleaning tables, handling trash and also serving the food with both of his thumbs inside the bowl. Not once I saw him washed his hands or change his gloves in 1 hr we were there.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

Great food. I got the dumplings and beef soup. So delicious. I love dumplings. The soup is real good with great portions of beef. Noodles i really enjoyed. The broth very tasty as well. Reasonably priced. Nice server.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Braised Beef Noodle Soup

A great beef noodle place that has authentic hand pulled noodles that come in different shapes and sizes. The broth is perfectly seasoned and not super salty. Very satisfying in a clean interior and friendly staff. You can see the noodles being pulled and is fun to watch. The Chinese burgers are not the forte though, quite dry and not as appetizing as the noodles.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

They charge me more than the price on receipt! I will never go to this place again or recommend it to anybody. Don’t understand why they are dishonest

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is quite delicious. They also maintained another location in West Hollywood, which I've went to before. The handmade noodles are well made, and they offer a good variety of other things ranging from seaweed to watermelon juice.

Will be back when I need that handmade noodle fix!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3