This place is consistently good and always has at least a couple people waiting outside of the door if not more. If you feel like a nice warm hug for your tummy, then get the Langzhou hand pulled noodles. The clear broth and light spice is so comforting for your stomach and it doesn't feel too heavy. You can choose your noodle thickness based on your preference. I typically go for the small rounds while my boyfriend gets the belt noodles - the complete opposite from each other! You can get out of there less than $20 a person, which is so rare in downtown San Mateo. Quick and easy meal for lunch or dinner. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

Clear quality and consideration in the food The spice is really up to you. They never spice it heavily. Get the cumin beef burger and dip it in your noodle broth. Overall a fine spot, it is one of the better spots in an already competitive San Mateo downtown but it doesn't leave me yearning for it the way other handpulled noodles do (Xian Famous Foods) 4/5 read more

See all

The portions are pretty generous--I would definitely share a bowl with another person. That also leaves room to try some appetizers. The pig ear was delicious, and the spicy dumplings were good too, although they were a little too sweet for my taste. I ordered the spicy beef noodle soup, and it was absolutely delicious. The prices are reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes. Overall, it's a great place for beef noodle soup, and I'd definitely come back. read more

See all

Met my BIL for lunch on an early Friday afternoon. He had recommended this place for a while and I was finally able to slip out of work to meet up with him. This was a style of Chinese that I had not tried...and I like it. I had the Spicy Ground Pork Dry Noodles and it was fantastic. Very spicy and very delicious. The Bok Choy really complemented the ground pork and noodles. I was quite impressed. I've eaten Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka and Hong Kong style, but this was different. I am definitely going back some a bowl of hellfire. Now, for your viewing pleasure, the pics. read more

See all

Lunch today was made of fresh handmade noodle. It was soft and light, great flavor. Enjoyed the Braised Beef noodle soup with knife cut noodle and pork and shrimp dumpling with green chives the most. Service was good. The place is clean and comfortable. read more

See all

Ox 9 Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles -- A Must-Try for Noodle Lovers! We're back again, and Ox 9 continues to impress! Their new clip of the hand-pulled noodle master showcasing his incredible skills makes the dining experience even more exciting. Watching the noodles being freshly stretched and crafted by hand is truly a treat. The noodles are still delicious, flavorful, and satisfying. Service remains friendly and efficient, and the ambiance continues to be welcoming and comfortable. For anyone who loves authentic hand-pulled noodles, Ox 9 delivers great quality at a great value. It's definitely a place where you get a big bang for your buck! Highly recommended! read more

See all

Came here on a Sunday right at 12 and there was no wait; however, it did get busier as the lunch rush started. Decided to try the Lanzhou Hand-pulled Noodles and the Mala Spicy Beef Noodles. I liked the texture of the noodles in both dishes, especially the knife cut noodles in the beef noodles. The broth was quite good, although the mala noodles didn't really have as much of a spicy kick in it as I had hoped. They do have some condiments on the side as well, like extra chili. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Mala Spicy Beef Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

It was well lit inside with high ceilings and the walls were decorated with a historical timeline and different facts about their noodles. Asked a server how big one bowl of noodles were and she made a small circle with her hands. When our order came out it was much bigger than what they described. If you're looking to share a bowl, one bowl is enough for two people. We got their No. 1 hand-pulled noodles with wide egg noodles and spicy heat level as well as their popcorn chicken with spice. First taste is always the broth and it was good but not the best I ever had. It was lacking more depth of flavor in the broth. There was only one spice level and while it was mild for me, could be a little spicy for others but nothing to worry about. The dry spice from the popcorn chicken definitely hits if you inhale it so be careful and it did make me break out into a mild sweat but it was ok. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - N.1 Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Beef Noodles and C.2 Basil Popcorn Chicken - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've been to this place before and although it didn't make me a solid fan that I'd want to visit every so often it did leave an impression that it's ok for a quick bite. I recently went back since I was in the area. The food is just as I remembered. The sauce is slightly overdone but the noodles are good enough. They did offer slightly more variety than I'd expect from this kind of restaurants. I think it's alright but probably not worth paying for parking in San Mateo for this. What I mean is that if you happen to be in the area then it's fine to dine here but probably not worth coming here just for the restaurants as there are alternatives outside of San Mateo where you don't have pay for parking. However the reason I gave 4 stars is that they give you enough meat on the noodle to make it slightly better deal even though everything in the Bay Area is overpriced. The service is really efficient and friendly enough. The restaurant is small and long) do I wouldn't suggest larger parties. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - N.1.2 Chili Oil Noodles with Braised Beef (Wide Noodles) 红烧牛肉油泼面 (宽） - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

Have dined in here a few times and ordered takeout, always solid noodle soup, a comfort when you crave it! Easy ordering through the qr code menu, food comes out quickly, and you can see them making the noodles in the kitchen! Service is always quick, style is casual. On the edge of downtown right next to the caltrain station so parking is slightly easier, but still busy! read more

See all

Craving a bowl of noodles n glad we pick Ox 9. We got there before the lunch crowd. Great service. Huge bowl of noodles with lots of meat. I didn't like the wide noodles , suggest the medium instead . read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - N.1.2 Stew Lamb Noodles 清炖羊肉汤面 N.1.2 Stewed Pork Ribs Noodle 红烧排骨面 - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

A group of us visited on a Thursday evening and were able to grab a table! Most of the other tables were full, so it can get quite busy.. For appetizers, we ordered the popcorn chicken, chili wontons, bean curd noodles with cilantro, dumpings, and spicy pig ears. We really enjoyed the garlic, acidity, and crunch from the cucumbers. The chili wontons and bean curd noodles had a great spice and flavor profile. The popcorn chicken had a crispy exterior, but didn't have much additional flavor even with the spicy powder coating the chicken. The dumplings were average and the pig ears were a bit disappointing. The pig ear texture threw us off compared to other pig ear we had, where this one was purely crunchy instead of a more jelly-like texture. We individually ordered noodle dishes and thoroughly enjoyed those. I got the beef noodle soup with wide flat noodles. This beef noodle soup is more like the Chinese variety, so heavier on the spice and chili oil compared to Taiwanese ones. I still very much enjoyed the flavor and depth of this soup with the spice. The beef was SO tender and just melted in your mouth. I also found the noodles themselves to be QQ and overall nice bite. These noodles can easily be overcooked, so I was very happy. Would visit again and select appetizers more selectively. Great noodles!! read more

See all

Great place for Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles. 1. vegetables fried noodles (veggie chow mein), $15.48. I only tried a little of this (it was my daughter's order), and it seemed pretty good, but maybe nothing special. I'd have to try more of it to get a better idea of how it is. 2. pork ribs noodle (soup), $15.48. Good! 3. stewed lamb noodle (soup), $16.98. I didn't try this, but the others said it was good. 4. chili oil noodles, $13.98. Very good! There was some bok choy (maybe blanched), shredded carrot, and soy bean bean sprouts, and a very tasty spicy chili oil. This comes with wide, flat noodles that are nicely chewy and bouncy. The noodles are very long, so you'll have to bite them off or cut them with your chopsticks. 5. Thai tea, $4.50. Good, I only had a couple sips, but it seemed good. 6. sweet pear drink, $3.50. My daughter ordered this. Not bad, but too sweet for my taste. Wouldn't get it again. Portions are generous. We each took enough home for another small or medium-sized meal. There is an automated waitlist where you sign in at a kiosk and get a number. At the table, you can order through the QR code, but our waitress came over to take our order since we'd never been there before and had some questions. Service was fairly quick and efficient. There are lots of graphics on the walls explaining the history of the restaurant, how the noodles are made, and the history of Lanzhou noodles. read more

Came on a Thursday at 5PM and had no wait. When we left, there were people waiting, so recommend getting there early. Restaurant is cute but a bit small for how busy it gets. Service was fine - food came pretty quickly after we ordered and they checked on us a few times. The food was good. Their wide noodle in chili oil was definitely their outstanding dish - the noodle soup was fine. The broth was very clear and felt light. read more

This place always seems to have a line so I hadn't tried before but on. Wednesday we were able to walk right in for 3 around 6:30pm. You order via QR code, so you only see your server when they drop the food off. There is no ambiance here, extremely casual and the music is pretty loud. Good food though. Noodles are fresh and the spicy ground pork had a lot of flavor but wasn't too spicy. Good price point for what you're getting. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - N.1 Spicy Ground Pork Dry Noodles 麻辣肉酱面 - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

One of our favorite go-to noodle houses whenever we are in the San Mateo area. It's not a huge place but overall very clean. Noodles are hand pulled and made directly in front of you through a glass window where you can view your noodles being made. You can select from a variety of noodle textures and sizes. The noodle dishes are separated between soup and dry noodle versions. For the soups, recommend the Lanzhou hand pulled noodles soup or sichuan braised beef stew noodle soup. For the dry noodle, our favorite is the chilli oil noodles with wide noodles. For appetizers, the spicy wonton is really good. Their spicy sauce has just the right amount of kick and is mildly sweet. While they also serve dumplings, I kind of feel there are dumplings are just average --- stick with the noodles! read more

See all

Long waits but worth it. The beef was sparse but overall it was delicious. I got the medium size noodle. My friend got the braided beef noodle (no broth). I thought the broth was mellow and not salty which is a good thing. Parking is in a parking structure nearby. It's a short walk over. read more

See all

The noodles here really are quite good. I ordered medium flat noodles in my beef noodle soup, and knife cut noodles in my beef stir fry. Unfortunately, I did find the beef noodle soup to be a bit lacking in flavor, I wish it had more heat and more beefy substance. As a light noodle soup though, it was great! The spicy wontons were probably my most favorite dish. Plenty of yummy spice! The garlic cucumbers were fresh and crisp. The service is really strong here, and the setting is very basic and casual. read more

See all

Needed a lunch spot that wasn't a three hour wait (lol Whisper) - and this place seemed to call to us. Upon entering, I noticed that it is a sister restaurant to the Lazhou Noodles but before we could change our minds, the hostess sat us (lol). I went with the main beef noodle soup, and we also tried the dry noodles with spicy beef. I was expecting the food to be very similar to their sister restaurant - BUT the food here was so much better I was SO surprised. The broth tasted better, the noodles were higher quality, and the beef was also much more tender and had less gristle. it made me wonder if it was a fluke or if this location was just that much better as this restaurant was also much more crowded versus the other locations. I can't wait to come back and bring friends, and though San Mateo is parking is not as friendly, the food experience definitely makes up for it! read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

Been wanting to try this place for awhile and was in the area on a weekday so no wait! You scan and order on your phone. There's a decent variety of options to choose from. We ordered: Braised beef noodle soup: 2/5 The soup was really lacking flavor. I had to put chili oil and some soy sauce as well. But it still didn't really do too much. It had no umami taste and really needed salt. The beef pieces were small and very dry. I wouldn't order this again, but this was the reason for my visit. Hand pulled noodle soup... Chicken Chow Mein: 5/5 This was my favorite dish. It had a nice flavor, chicken was juicy, and was well balanced. Shrimp and Chive dumpling: 2/5 Lacked flavor as well. I had to triple dunk it in my vinegar chili oil mix. Wasn't impressed as the chive flavor didn't come through and it just tasted flat Beef Burger: 4/5 The cumin flavor really popped and it was good. I wish they filled it a bit more but it was saltier than the other two dishes I didn't like. Paired nicely with chili oil. Overall I was underwhelmed with the lack of flavor in what should have been the star of the show. If I am craving chow mein and some appetizers I'd come back but their dumplings should be on point as well. read more

See all

They capture the north west China flavor in their Lanzhou noodle broth ! It's the closest thing I've found in the Bay Area. Their noodles have good bounce and chew as well. Their fried lamb is a sleeper hit, love it. read more

See all

My go-to noodle spot when I'm in the bay. There was a wait for dinnertime and it was a rainy day so definitely a popular choice for comforting food. The hand pulled noodles tasted so fresh. I was tempted to get extra noodles but was glad I didn't because it was so substantial I ended up having leftovers. My nieces said the noodles kept growing and growing even though they kept eating so it was plentiful. The broth was delicious and rich, not too salty. I loved the pickled mustard pieces which were a good tart addition and the pieces were sizable. The restaurant can feel a bit small and there's usually a wait when I go during downtime. It's so worth it though. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Menu & noodle sizes - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

Ox 9 really stands out for its freshly made noodles. You can actually watch them hand-pull the noodles right in front of you, which is always fun to see. They also offer a variety of noodle shapes and sizes, round, flat, thin, and thick so you can choose the texture you prefer. The noodles themselves had a great chewy bite and very fresh. The broth however, could use a bit more salty/beefy flavor, it was a bit bland. The beef was just ok, and the veggies were slightly undercooked for my taste. That's what knocked a few points off the overall rating. The restaurant was pretty busy, but the wait wasn't too bad for a Friday evening around 5pm. Pricing felt fair for the portion and quality. Street parking is available, and there's also a nearby parking lot which helps. Overall, a solid spot if you're craving fresh hand-pulled noodles. 3.7 Stars for me. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

I'd been to the Mountain View location of Ox 9 before, but this was my first time at the San Mateo location. We arrived just as they opened at 5PM, so getting seated wasn't a problem. The restaurant was also more spacious than Mountain View, with the same casual vibe and minimal decor. Service was lukewarm but impressively quick. We ordered the Marinated Cucumber Salad to share, which was refreshing with a subtle wasabi flavor. This time, I decided to try the Beef Chow Mein. It came with a choice of noodles, and I went with the "knife- cut". I liked this dish better than my Chili Oil Noodles from last time! The texture of the knife-cut noodle was so nice - very stretchy and chewy. The beef was also tasty and the portion size was massive. I think I found my new go-to order at Ox 9! read more

See all

San Mateo is an Asian food mecca! So many Asian food to choose from including this one. Handpull noodles are legit! Bouncy, chewy, flavorful noodles in a bowl! I gotta give them a 10 for slurp factor. It slurps up beautifully and splashes soup during the process! Yumm-o. Its a tiny place with tables lined up like a hallway. Service was good. Lots of parking outside. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

Braised beef with Chinese pickles and knife cut lanzhou noodles, i give it an A! The service was very nice and the servers answered my questions. Nice little vibe inside and Loved the R&B music read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Braised Beef and Chinese pickles knife cut noodle soup - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

One of the best braised noodle soups I've had in the Bay Area! This spot feels very casual, but service is fast and friendly. The food came very quickly after we ordered. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the beef was tender and melts in your mouth. The soup did start to feel greasy pretty soon, though. The cucumber salad was phenomenal -- marinated well and very flavorful. I would definitely come back again when I'm craving noodle soups! read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - N.1.2 Braised Beef Stew Noodles 红烧牛肉面 - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

Food: 4.00 | Service: 4.75 | Ambiance: 4.75 Hours: Everyday 11AM-3PM, 5-9PM First timer to Ox 9 LANZHOU HANDPULLED NOODLES on B Street in San Mateo downtown, landed in Northern California in 2012, is a hand-pulled noodle chain with locations in Valley Fair, Cupertino, Fremont and Milpitas. The dining space is a small backward L-shaped space, light, bright and airy. Only point of Confusion is on where you check in or do you seat yourself, until someone pops out to greet you. Once seated, everything else falls into place. Waitstaff was nice and helpful with menu. OX 9 is famous for their hand-pulled beef noodle soup but sometimes I'm too focused on one aspect, the hand-pulled or housemade noodles itself. Ordered: CUCUMBER W/GARLIC SAUCE - fragrant, refreshing, and garlicky, perfect! CRISPY LAMB CHOPS (SPICY) - lamb chops crusted with a dry spice rub and fried. I liked the spices but didn't appreciate the lamb as much. Have never had mutton but it's considered an older sheep or goat. This lamb is what I think is mutton - tough, fattier and gamier than lamb chops I've had. Who knows. Maybe this cut of lamb is needed to hold up to the savory spicy spice rub. But this is not for me. BEEF CHOW FUN (KNIFE CUT NOODLES) - basically chow fun but made with knife-cut noodles. Total yum with knife-cut noodles, great wok hei! I'd order again. I value OX 9 LANZHOU HANDPULLED NOODLES for their housemade noodles and will return to try their signature soups like LANZHOU HANDPULLED NOODLE or BRAISED BEEF STEW NOODLE, MALA SPICY BEEF NOODLE or their stir-fried beef, chicken, lamb or veggie noodles. As well as SPICY PIG EARS, BIG PLATE CHICKEN (Bone-in), STEAMED PORK & GREEN ONION BUNS. See you there! read more

See all

Chinese-style fast food done right! Ordering is easy--you scan a QR code at the table and place everything from your phone. We submitted our appetizers and they arrived within minutes. The pig ears had a great crunch with a lingering numbing spice, and the garlic cucumbers were refreshing with a slightly sweet flavor. We also shared both the original beef noodle soup and the mala version--the mala definitely had a nice kick. They offer six different handcrafted noodle styles to choose from, which makes it even more fun to customize your bowl. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - C.2 Spicy Pig Ears 红油耳丝 A.1 Marinated Cucumber Salad 金钱黄瓜 - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

Visited on a Saturday night around 6:00pm with a friend, the restaurant was about half full, not too busy, was able to grab a table when we arrived. By the time we left around 7:00pm most tables were taken and there was a short wait to grab a spot so come earlier if you plan to visit to avoid the wait. Food: Chili Noodles with braised beef - this was served warm, came with a generous amount of noodles, some veggies and pieces of braised beef which ate a little dry and tough, noodles were coated in a medium spic level chili sauce, wish this was a touch saltier but maybe personal preference, we ordered these with the wide flat noodles which was a chewy with a nice bounce a bit thicker than I was expecting Beef Noodle Soup with Chinese Pickles - okay, ordered this with knife cut noodles, which were about 2-3 inches long with varied thicknesses, generous portion size, texture of the noodles were a bit soft and mushy, soup had a slight savory flavor along with a touch of Sichuan pepper but wish it had more beefy notes and depth of flavor, bok choy in the dish was cooked tender and seemed pretty fresh, the braised beef was super tender definitely the highlight of the dish, pickled veggies were a nice briney, salty, tangy crunch Service was quick and efficient, order through the QR code and staff bring out cups for water and napkins along with orders once ready. Tables had a variety of condiments and chopsticks availible, our was out of spoons which we asked for and they delivered quickly. Overall Ox 9 was okay, a touch disappointed given the rave reviews, maybe it was the noodle type we ordered but just didn't hit the mark for us. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Beef noodle soup with Chinese pickles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

During the colder seasons, ox9's delicious broth and fresh noodles hit the spot. We ordered the beef noodles w/ Chinese pickles, soybean paste dry noodles, fresh celery with yuba, and the basil popcorn chicken. Everything came out fast and fresh with minimal interaction, as we ordered off the QR codes. Both noodle dishes were huge portions, the beef noodles were delicious with its tender beef chunks, flavorful broth and bouncy noodles- I personally thought the dish could've used more beef to balance the amount of noodles but that's a minor note. The soybean paste dry noodles were delicious and fresh as well, with their soybean paste being very hearty and coated the noodles wonderfully. The fresh celery was just fine, however the basil popcorn chicken was delicious, being super flavorful with their seasoning and crispiness and minimal pieces with gristle. I'll definitely be back when I get ramen fatigue. I do recommend coming early as there's usually a line during peak hours due to their smaller interior. read more

See all

We went to Ox 9 for dinner. DS ordered his usual chicken noodle plate since he doesn't really like noodle soup. The portion was big and pretty decent. He ate about half and took the rest home. Hubby got the No. 1 as usual and he really enjoyed it. I ordered the braised beef and switched to knife-cut noodles, which was a mistake. The noodles were super mushy and I really don't like mushy food. We also ordered the steamed buns, but I wouldn't order those again. They tasted like frozen buns that were just re-steamed. It's not good at all. Overall, the meal was decent. Just order your food wisely. read more

See all

What a great spot for hand pulled noddles!!! The place is small but modern and welcoming. Ordering is via QR code which I am not a fan of. Most items are around the hand pulled noodles and some dumplings. Food came out quick and was excellent. Highly recommend and will be back. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

2nd time here. Food is good. It's packed. Not enough workers so it gets quite busy feeling Hand pulled beef noodles, simple and the texture of the noodles is great. I would come back, maybe not during peak hours read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Pickled - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this place yet. It is our family's favorite place to go for a quick and yummy meal. Our favorite is the Hand cut noodles with the beef noodle soup. My kids love the fried breadsticks that are coated in chili flakes. Another favorite is the popcorn, chicken and this time I tried the pork buns and they were really really good. Try to go before the rush or else there might be a small weight. Service is very friendly. read more

See all

A solid bowl of noodles. The interior was nice and bright with plenty of seating. The staff were friendly and quick. I liked that you could pick noodle thickness, the meat was tender, and I enjoyed my spice level. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

I stopped by on a weekday afternoon. The place was not full. Braised beef stew knife cut noodles was my favorite item here. It had a lot of flavors and the noodles tasted great. Chicken fried noodles was excellent as well. Cumin beef burger was just ok. Probably I should have skipped it. read more

See all

Came here on a Sunday afternoon and there was a short wait. Once we were seated, we ordered through the QR code and the food came out quickly. They offer so many great options, including both soup and dry noodles with a variety of sides. My favorite part, though, was getting to choose the type of noodle. I went with the braised beef noodle soup and chose the medium-thick noodles. The bowl came with plenty of beef and bok choy, and the broth was flavorful without being too spicy. I highly recommend if you're looking for a great noodle soup spot in San Mateo! read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - N.1.2 Beef Noodles with Chinese Pickles 老坛酸菜牛肉面 - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

I usually stick to the braised beef with Chinese pickle whenever I visit Ox9, but I recently tried the chili oil noodles with braised beef and I'm hooked! It's much more flavorful than the noodle soup, with a perfect balance of chili, garlic, and oil that somehow doesn't feel greasy at all. The beef portions are generous, and the noodles are excellent--perfectly al dente. read more

Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Noodles Near Me - San Mateo, California

3.5/5 A Chinese spot specializing in noodles! My family came here on a Sunday around 2pm and waited around 20 minutes to get seated. We ordered the Sesame Veggie Gluten Noodles, Braised Beef Stewed Knife Cut Noodle Soup, and Braised Pork Intestines Noodle Soul. You order from the QR code at the table and can pick your noodle type. I enjoyed the fatty and juicy meat. I thought the soup could've had more flavorful and depth of the beef though. Service was quick! read more

See all