I went specifically to try the hand pulled noodles and they did not disappoint. The workers here have a thick accent but they have pictures of everything which made it easy to say what I want. I like my noodles chewy and was glad we got to try all the different kinds. If you like chewy noodles, definitely get the extra wide ones. Standouts out to me were the XLB dumplings, the numbing spicy noodle, and the beef short rib soup. Those items were full of flavor and not too exotic to the taste. If you're unsure what to get, I would recommend the soup XLB and and the spicy minced pork noodle dish. read more

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4- stars $15.99 Lanzhou Pulled Noodle (beef) soup: the classic 100 year old staple of Lanzhou Province. Picked the regular thin noodles. Going forward, I'll pick the thick round style. Pretty good, certainly worth the $, but it lacked enough of the umami that I've experienced in (2) other spots I've tried. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Lanzhou Pulled LanZhou Beef Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Authentic Lanzhou noodle soup spot. I've seen this location recommended on Chinese social media so it's Chinese international students approved. Service was efficient. We got seated quickly, ordered through a QR code, and got our check and to-go containers fast when we finished eating. The beef noodle soups were decent. The soup was light and savory, and the beef was tender. They got our spice levels wrong but good thing the chili oil in the bowl was identical to the chili oil condiment on the table so we could spice it up to our hearts' content. There are five types of noodle to choose from. My friend recommended the "thick round" noodles for chewiness and while it was chewy as promised, it was kind of bland in the soup. Maybe a thinner noodle will absorb the flavors better. I like how you can see their noodles being hand pulled in the open kitchen. I heard their big plate chicken is good so I'm excited to try that next time. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - LanZhou Beef Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Li's is leagues better than this as I find the broth a bit boring. But it has that friendly atmosphere which is chill. Do wish it came with more veggies or something and that the noodles weren't as stuck together because it became a struggle to eat it. It's fun watching the chef make the noodles while you wait though. read more

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Loved my visit to Impressions of Lanzhou! I ordered the tomato beef noodle soup and it was exactly what I needed--rich, slightly tangy broth with super tender beef and perfectly chewy noodles. It felt really comforting but still packed with flavor. Also tried the xiao long bao and they were solid--juicy, flavorful, and hit the spot alongside the soup. Everything tasted fresh and well-made. Overall just a really satisfying meal with great portions and quality. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when I'm craving noodles read more

The LanZhou beef noodle soup was really good! The beef was very tender, and it absorbed the broth well. The noodles had good texture, and I also liked how the chili oil tasted with the thinly sliced radishes. I felt that the broth needed more flavor, though. Fortunately, the chili oil helped add flavor to the broth. It was also really cool that you can watch the noodles being hand pulled. The food came out super quickly--only a couple minutes after ordering. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - LanZhou Beef Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

4 stars for authentic food options, but didn't feel like the soup was super flavorful and tasted a bit on the watery side. I don't think there is AC in here either. It's definitely a more casual place, but food is solid! read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been waiting for a good authentic Chinese noodle spot to open up (bc Noodle Dynasty is mid), and Impression of Lanzhou did not miss. The noodle soups are so warm and comforting but do not skimp on flavor. Judging from the broth alone, this place knows what they're doing!! I tried the braised beef noodle soup and wonton noodle soup. The chunks of beef were incredibly tender, and I loved the bite of the wontons. Reminds me of the noodle shops on the street in China. You even get to pick which type of noodle you want. Great place for Berkeley students to grab a quick bite with their prime location on north side. read more

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Impression of Lanzhou opened recently where Cabanas Cafe/Northside Cafe once was. This is their 3rd. Location. Others in Concord & Fremont. Interior doesn't have fancy decor, just windows & seating. Open Kitchen in the far corner. Soft music in background. Unisex restrooms. Metered parking nearby. Arrived early, got seat by window, after being greeted. Ordered. Food came in 10ish minutes. Place full by noon. Offerings (Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China): stir fry, house made pastry/dry noodles, soup noodles, Deep fried, extras, drinks. All noodles, pastries made in house. Slurps: Pickled Cabbage Fish Noodle Soup (15.99) -choose thin noodles. Others: angel hair, small flat, thick round, general wide. -fish fillets thinly sliced, had blackish skin indicating fresh fish utilized or fresh frozen fish.. -soup had savoryness from fish, tartness from preserved mustard green, spiciness from chili pieces. Yummy broth! 4.5 stars Worthy! Quality: lots of noodles. No veggies. Reasonable. Quantity: noodles/pastries made in house. Everything tasted fresh. Repeatable. read more

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This is a great new spot that opened up that specializes in hand pulled noodles. The cold tofu skin was uniquely, flavored and perfectly seasoned, enjoyed this a lot Lamb "burger" was really perfect. They have the exact right vegetables and taste. The bun is also toasted really nicely on the outside and very soft on the inside. You can't go wrong with any of their noodles, but they do have five shapes to choose from. They're all hand pulled and have amazing texture! Lamb nutritious soup was nice and light, the broth is not too salty and there are many big chunks of juicy lamb. Beef noodle soup has a clean and clear broth, the meat was pretty standard. Don't sleep on their chili oil - it has tons of flavor and isn't too spicy, it makes everything taste even better read more

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My friends and I wanted to try Impression of Lanzhou, which had soft-opened in Berkeley and was located right next to campus. Even though the restaurant was new, we saw it as a promising sign that all of the tables were full, and there was a waiting list to get a table. Fortunately, we only had to wait about ten minutes for a table to clear. We ordered via QR code, where we made the difficult decision between noodle soup or dry noodles. I opted for the "numbing" minced pork dry noodles because I was craving wide, flat noodles coated with spicy sauce. While we waited for our food, we watched in awe as the chefs hand-pulled noodles for each order. We received our steaming bowls of noodles in less than ten minutes, and the portions were quite generous. We all instantly remarked how the noodles had the perfect chewy texture, and the wide noodles held their own against the minced pork. The "numbing" minced pork was not at all spicy - it tasted more sweet than anything. While the minced pork had good flavor, I was expecting it to pack more heat and spice. These noodles hit the spot, and my friends and I agreed that we'd come back to try the other noodle dishes. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Numbing minced pork dry noodles - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Since it's been so cold recently me and my friend went to this place for a warm bowl of noodle soup! We saw that they have hand pulled noodles made in house so we were really excited. We came here on a Tuesday evening and we were seated right away. There is a QR code on the table that you use to place your order or you can request a physical menu and order with the staff. The inside is spacious and clean. It's also cool that you can see the chef making the noodles right behind the counter. I ordered the LanZhou Beef Noodle Soup spicy with round thick noodles. The noodles were bouncy and the broth tasted clean. I wish that that the broth was a bit more spicy. I also thought that the portion size was generous. I also shared an order of the pork XLB with my friend and these were also good. The soup inside of them was tasty and had a rich flavor. Overall, this is a solid place for noodles and the food comes out quick. I would be interested in coming back to try some of their cold noodle dishes! read more

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Absolutely amazing food. I was surprised at the portion of meat that comes with the bowls of noodles! Order one cold noodle to try and the beef soup noodle, both were amazing. I typically don't like sesame paste, but for thie cold noodle dish, they did a fantastic job with mellowing the sesame paste into the dish making the broth milky and savory. I will say, the cold noodle has broth in it that surprise me as i thought it was just going to be a paste. Despite it being a cold day, it was still really refreshing. The beef noodle soup was what i was hoping for on this cold day. The soup came out piping hot. The noodles, you get to chose the size you want, i chose thick round strings and they gave THREE beef rib bone full of meat! Now a days, places just gives you 1. Through the time i was there, ive seen a variety of patrons, small groups of 4-5 people, singles, families, families with young kids, college kids, couples etc. they have bar style counter seating for single seats kf you chose or you can ask for a table. You can see the noodles being made and your dish as it's made to order and they have an open kitchen. They stay true to their spice levels from mild to spicy. Overall, i am really looking forward to coming back here read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Signiture beef soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This is a 3-star review bumped up a star to account for their newness. The Food: Cucumbers - good garlicky coating Pig Ears - great texture, but some at the table felt it needed vinegar, which we added ourselves Cold Noodles - excellent, wouldn't change anything Beef Rib Soup - good soup, overcooked noodles, meat easy to cut and divide Pork Buns - okay, got it for the kids The Experience: We waited about 25 min for a table of 7 for a Saturday lunch. The restaurant was uncomfortably hot. By 1:30pm there was no line and plenty of seats. The Concord location is solid. The difference in quality between the two locations is expected in the first couple months. I would definitely return. read more

I was craving for tomato egg over fresh noodle so I went here. The noodle was very good. The tomato with egg didn't taste fresh. I understand the prep process was usually to prepare a large amount of toppings first and set aside and cook noodle when the order comes in. But the one I had seemed to have stayed in fridge for too long. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Tomato Scrambled Egg Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Overall a pretty solid Chinese noodle restaurant in a busy intersection (though there have been a couple restaurant turnovers in the exact store corner, so .. who knows?) The restaurant is still fairly new (?) so the waitlist is an in-person sign up sheet. I would prefer a kiosk or a mobile check in of some sort so we don't have to wait outside and block that sidewalk corner. You order from a QR code. But you have to pay with one of the staff. I think it would be nice to do something similar to other restaurants nearby and order (and pay) altogether at the beginning. Food wise // I always order a tomato-based broth at these types of restaurants. So I opted for the tomato and beef noodle soup. The tomato broth was good but not great. I'd like more sesame seeds, green onions and cilantro as a garnish. My friend ordered the large plate of chicken and it felt like more than half of the chicken pieces were actually just bone with very little meat. I can't help but compare this to Noodle Dynasty, which felt much more polished and smooth even when starting out years ago. I also can't help but compare my soup to their version of the tomato beef/lamb noodle soup - I think Noodle Dynasty has more of a flavor profile. Like you can tell the beef has been stewing for hours in a rich broth. Whereas with this restaurant it's harder to tell. I understand they're different styles of cuisine but still, I felt a little underwhelmed given the hype I saw online. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - tomato beef noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great portion sizes and amazing food--if you order a medium or large, you're definitely going to be full. I grabbed the beef noodles and another dish, and honestly, everything across the board was solid and super filling. It's the kind of spot you want to hit up for a celebration because the vibe is right and the service is quick, so you're not just sitting around waiting. The atmosphere has a great energy to it that makes the whole experience better. Definitely a go-to when you want a massive, high-quality meal that actually hits. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I think they have the best XLB in Berkeley! The fillings are juicy, savory and slightly sweet. The skin is thin but not flimsy.

This was my first time coming here, and unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. I came on Tuesday night around 8:30 PM, and the restaurant wasn't particularly busy. I ordered the beef bone noodle soup. The beef bone was huge, which left very little broth in the bowl. I asked the server if I could get some extra broth, and she told me, "Next time, you can leave a note before ordering if you want extra broth." Honestly, this response really bothered me. If it's my first time here, how would I know that I'm supposed to request extra broth when ordering? The broth also wasn't very good, so I couldn't finish the noodles and decided to take the rest home. The server gave me a very small container at first. I told her it wasn't big enough, so she brought me a very wide takeout container instead. It was clearly not designed for soup, and I was worried it would spill everywhere. It just didn't feel professional at all. What made the experience even worse was that I noticed the server had already placed her personal handbag on an empty chair, even though there was still about 30 minutes until closing. It honestly gave me the impression that she was already getting ready to leave and wasn't really interested in providing good service. I'm not expecting anything special, but basic customer service and a welcoming attitude should be expected, especially toward a first-time customer. Overall, a very poor first experience. Unfortunately, I won't be coming back. read more

We visited this location on Saturday around 1pm. Paid parking was plentiful on the north side. You can see the chef making fresh pulled noodles. My friend ordered spicy beef, potato salad, and original beef noodle soup. I ordered fried rice with beef, chicken, and shrimp. My hubby ordered beef chow mein. The menu for this location is a little different while I enjoyed the flavor of the noodles, I did not like what appeared to be pieces of chicken skin or fat in the fried rice. Portion size was good as I ended up having it for leftovers. The place was loud and bustling. You can order by scanning a QR code. As a gluten free person, it was a little challenging to order (which is why I ended up with a fried rice dish). Service was efficient. You get a jug of water with cups. The appetizers came right away. read more

We were initially planning to have lunch closer to Vine Street but spontaneously decided to come here for lunch when we saw "hand pulled noodles" on the banner above the door. We shared the chili oil noodles (less spicy, added shrimp) and green beans. Both were tasty! Portions are generous; we finished the noods but took home the green beans. I wish that they had more veggie and seafood options. Even the seafood dumplings/xlb have pork. There's a QR code for the menu but you can ask questions with/order from. Restaurant was a little noisy but still able to talk at a normal volume. Worth checking out, especially if you're a meat eater and/or want to try hand pulled noodles! read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Chili oil noods with shrimp & green beans - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

I recently tried the newly opened Impression of Lanzhou in Berkeley. It's been getting pretty popular lately, so I decided to stop by and check it out. Overall, if you're going there specifically for Lanzhou beef noodles, you probably won't be disappointed. The menu focuses mainly on Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles, and there are a lot of noodle options to choose from--different thicknesses and shapes. It almost gives you decision paralysis when ordering. I went with the classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup. The noodles were clearly freshly pulled, very chewy with a nice bounce. The broth was on the lighter side--not overly oily--but still flavorful. With slices of beef, cilantro, and radish, the whole bowl felt balanced and comforting. One very important tip: do NOT order extra noodles. The portion is already huge. I ordered the regular size and was already very full by the end. While sitting there, I noticed several tables around me had ordered the extra noodles option, and a lot of them couldn't finish their bowls. One table even left almost half a bowl behind, which was honestly kind of funny to watch. The regular portion is definitely more than enough. I also tried the roujiamo (Chinese burger). It was just okay--nothing particularly memorable. The bread and meat were decent, but it didn't have that wow factor. It feels like this place really puts most of its effort into the noodles, while the side items are more average. The restaurant itself has a simple, clean new-restaurant vibe. Bright interior, fairly busy, and people were constantly coming in and out. The location is convenient for Berkeley--students and locals looking for a satisfying bowl of noodles will probably enjoy it. Overall, if you're looking for a solid bowl of Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles with very generous portions, this new spot is worth trying. The noodles are great and there are plenty of options--just remember: don't get the extra noodles. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Took advantage of slower crowds bc Cal undergrad is still on winter break. Showed up at 1150am and got a seat for 2 immediately! But 25 min later there was a line out the door. Casual eatery, the sun coming in from the outside does make for a squinty meal. But you can watch them hand pull the noodles which is pretty cool considering this is technically a campus eats. I am old and found the QR code menu cumbersome but also appreciated not having to go full Taiwanese and flag down a waiter to order, get water (already on the table with cups) etc. There aren't many vegetarian options but those that are - are clearly labeled. My friend for the braised pork less spicy (Actually not spicy at all) and so many noodles! Really good. I got the tomato egg dry noodles and it the handpulled regular noodles were also good with some chew. It's a large ball of noodles. I couldn't finish it. Next time I'll get the wide flat noodles bc I think those are likely better. $35 for lunch really is a decent value for this. read more

There are so many good noodle soup places in Berkeley now! Impression of Lanzhou is solid but the competition is steep and I think they are closer to 4-4.5 stars for us. The menu has a lot of choices so that's a plus for sure and the food is good but the broth could be just a bit richer and flavorful. We really enjoyed our meal here and will certainly be back. The place is spacious and airy and this part of Berkeley is manageable even on a weekend, another big plus for us. read more

I got the cumin lamb noodles. Not as flavorful as I've had from other places and for hand pulled noodles, the noodles didn't have a great texture. Service was fast . read more

Came here with the Hubs. This spot was yummy. I loved the "Big Plate of Chicken", with your choice of noodles, I went with the small flat noodles, which paired perfectly, 11/10! Big portion, can feed 2-4 ppl. The first bite gave me an Anton Ego moment, IYKYK -- definitely reminded me of a dish similar to my mama's. Be sure to order a side of rice. Location was good, plenty of seating. Service was quick and easy, thanks to the QR code ordering method. Dinner selections: Big Plate with Chicken, Small Flat Noodles: 11/10 Spicy Beef Noodle Soup: 6/10 Shredded Potato Salad: 10/10 read more

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If you like wood quality hand pulled noodles, this is the place. Came to the Berkeley area and craving good Chinese food, which isn't hard to find in this area. There was a good crowd when I entered and a line waiting for a table, which is always a good sign. Since I was a table for 2, it didn't take long to get seated. Just scan the link and you can start searching the menu. The staff knows how to handle busy tables because our food came quick, and they are always checking on you if everything is fine. But the noodles are the star here and each plate we had was delicious. I can see myself coming back here. Also noticed they have a restaurant in Concord also. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Braised Pork Rib Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Food was very fresh and tasty. Our favorites were the cold noodle appetizer and steamed pork buns. Although there was a waitlist when we showed up during lunchtime, we were seated within 10 minutes of arriving. Food also came out very quickly from the kitchen. Overall ambience of the restaurant is a casual, no frills spot. Would recommend! read more

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This is hands down my favorite place to get real authentic hand pulled Chinese noodles. My adult son discovered it, and our family hasn't been able to get enough of it since. I recently took a foodie friend of mine who has traveled to food capitals all around the world, and he loved it too. We always get their signature dish, the Lanzhou Beef Noodles. You get to choose which size noodles you want. The bigger, the chewier. This is right across the street from the north gate of campus at the corner of Euclid and Hearst, so it's not an easy destination if you're looking for parking. It's great for takeout, and when we have dined inside, they have always been busy, and the staff have always been courteous. The noodles are why we go, but I shouldn't forget to mention that the beef would be an attraction even if they were "regular" noodles. This is slow-cooked beef, the kind that has that extra beefy beefiness & is tender enough to cut with a spoon. There are no shortcuts in getting this kind of flavor from this cut of meat. This is the real deal. I highly recommend it. read more

Food was delicious, but could have come out hotter imo. Service is fine, scan to view menu + order. Feels like a no frills spot. Come for a bite for a solo dinner or with some friends to share multiple bowls! read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Signature beef noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I came alone for lunch, three days in a row. How did this happen? I'd noticed Impression after it opened and saw that there was always a large crowd on the street in front of the place. I vowed to come during winter break, as long as the restaurant decided to stay open despite the absence of students. The restaurant has stayed open, and I kept my vow. Each time I showed up, the house was essentially full; fortunately there was a spot for me against one of the windows each time I visited. I came back after the first day because the first day was good. I came back after the second because I'd liked both of my first two dishes. In order, I've had: the dry noodles with shredded chicken; the cold noodles with slices of beef; the regular old hot noodles, also with slices of beef. The three dishes were different from each other, and they were all really good. Several Yelpers have pointed out that you can order by QR code without any human interaction. Well sure, but I was happy to discuss my order each time with one of the workers. (The woman who took care of me the first two times seemed to be the boss.) I was grateful for the recommendations, and enjoyed talking to the personnel. I thought that Impression of Lanzhou was a totally worthy establishment and that the food here wouldn't evoke laughter had it been served in China. By Lanzhou standards, it's probably at least average. Each dish that I had cost around $15 before tax and tip. With tax and tip, you're talking $20, or maybe a few cents above. read more

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A casual spot near the university in Berkeley that's easy to drop into. The ramen is delicious, and the service is quiet and low-key. read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

New Chinese noodle restaurant in Berkeley's Northside! Came here on a weekday at 2pm with a few friends and the restaurant was busy but we didn't have to wait. We ordered their Spicy Wontons, Lanzhou Beef Noodle, and Chili Oil Noodles. Their spicy wontons were my favorite dish - they reminded me a lot of Din Tai Fung chili oil wontons. The beef noodle soup was pretty good - the broth could use a bit more flavor but I liked the texture of their noodles. The chili oil noodles were not what I expected - the chili oil tasted kind of sour and the spiciness reminded me more of kimchi than typical chili oil added to noodles. The ambiance was casual and similar to any other Chinese noodle spot. Service was okay, not notably good or bad. I think I would return to get their spicy wontons again and possibly try other items! read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Chili Oil Noodles, Lanzhou Beef Noodle - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Delicious beef noodle soups and high quality noodles that are hand pulled and you have 5 different options of width! Their spicy noodle soups can be quite spicy, so please be wary of ordering as it isn't just a numbing spice but a heat spice too. They have a few tables inside that are best for groups of 2-4 and also have a wall-length counter for solo diners. It can also get quite hot inside due to the lack of ventilation, so on a hot day, it can be a bit stifling. Menus are all digital and there isn't much service. You get a canteen of water for the table and depending on where you sit, you may need to go up to get the check and pay for it. read more

Revisited for a small meal and settled on the House Special Haggis Soup. Containing beef heart, kidney, and tripe in a light salted broth with cilantro. Hit the spot for wanting something warm and light. Being a couple months after soft opening, it wasn't as busy and I was seated immediately. Multiple seats were open and because of that it was no longer loud as it was when I first tried this place at soft opening read more

Impression of Lanzhou - House Special Haggis Soup with beef heart, kidney, and tripe in a lightly salted broth with cilantro. - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

The pork belly here is cooked amazingly, and the meat was the most tender I had. I definetly recommend trying the dry noodle pork belly, with the small flat noodles too. Wish there was a little more spice, but they had plenty of dishes with pork belly that I might try soon(that are spicier) read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Braised Pork Belly Dry Noodle - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food is okay. It tastes authentic. But it seems understaff and it took us so long to get a check. read more

Great flavors of Lanzhou! The noodles are freshly made and you can see them making it from the kitchen. You order food from your phone and they bring it out very quickly. Definitely coming back to try more of the menu! read more

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Overall a great location that fills the much needed lack of Chinese food on Euclid. The Beef Noodle soup came out at a good temperature and was just ready to eat when served, the broth was delicious, light and savory, went down very easy, don't be afraid to get the spicy version. The presentation was fantastic and portion size was good. Service was also fast which is a bonus. The beef was tender and flavorful, elevated by the fresh herbs in the broth. The seaweed salad was good however it was a bit stale which is unfortunate. The burger was a bit too greasy as reported by a friend but overall this is a great location to grab a bite with friends read more

Impression of Lanzhou - Lanzhou Beef Noodle - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Do they run the chicken through a wood chipper? or do they hack it to smithereens by hand? Never have I seen more bone splinters and shards in a dish. Maybe it's the authentic Lanzhou style. It's loud and crowded and busy but the food comes pretty fast. The servers aren't really assigned to tables. They cover the whole place so if you need something, wave. If you're lucky you'll get a seat where you can watch them pull the noodles. It's worth seeing. read more