Tiny hole in the wall? Slightly dirty and filthy? Cheap? Check, check and check! All the markings of some great Chinese food. Walk in, choose your seat and make your way through the simple menu posted on the walls. Then gawk at the man making hand pulled noodles right near your table. He’s used to being stared at but was slightly taken aback when I pulled out my obtrusive SLR. Luckily I have no shame and snapped away.
The noodles are good but the soup takes the crown. It is rich and full of flavor. The only complaint is that they don’t give you much meat. Considering the sub $5 price, I guess its understandable.
What makes this place a keeper however are the fried dumplings. These delicious bags of meat and juices are easily the BEST dumplings in New York City, and at 12 for $3 it is a no brainer. The skin is so thin its translucent. You can see the pork and chives nestled inside the golden crispy skin. Don’t you just want at it? This picture is making me hungry. Luckily I have 100 frozen ones stashed inside my freezer… just sitting there…waiting for me…
Oh, and don’t get this place confused with Lan Zhou Hand Pulled Noodles which is 2 blocks away. No, pay attention. Lan Zhou Handmade Noodles is the place to scarf down dumplings. Happy New Years! Go, be full!
Lan Zhou Handmade Noodle
144 E. Broadway
New York, NY
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:11 am
Love the photos of the guy pulling noodles! And those potstickers look heavenly … I WANT!!
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:27 am
Cool sequence! and right on Manhattan.. you must be a happy chinese man.
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Looks good. If you’re still here in SF then you should try Mama’s if you haven’t already. You’ll love it there.
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:30 pm
@lisa, @alex: wait for my next post on knife cut noodle. oh man, so good
@serah: mama’s is my fav brunch spot in SF! =) try dotties blue cafe also
January 5th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Dang that looks delicious!
January 8th, 2010 at 3:16 am
I love knife cut noodles! The area of China from where my Grandma’s from is really well known for that.
January 16th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I will be eating this tomorrow for lunch. Right before the Chargers kick some Jets butt
January 24th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I made the mistake of checking out your blog while working in the office on a Sunday…now I want to make a quick trip to Chinatown for some potstickers!