Fantastic! This is a very unassuming restaurant near Boston south station. The noodles are soooooo delicious. Chewy and smooth, just like the sign on the wall said. We got two appetizers and three mains. The soup dumplings were very tasty. The other appetizer, lamb pancake was ok, just not our style. The Lanzhou beef noodle soup was a great mix of beef, bok choy (we added), hot chili oil, and homemade noodles. We also got a shrimp stir fry with noodles. The noodles absorbed the flavor of the sauce. Overall, we loved it! read more

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For a quick work lunch I stopped by Zhi Wei. On a blustery spring Tuesday, the establishment was almost completely full. I did manage to get seated without a wait at 12:30. I ordered the lunch combo of lanzhou noodle & lamb skewers. Not much has changed flavor wise. The broth was clear but flavorful. The noodles had decent texture and springiness. The skewers were adequately seasoned. It still remains a staple in the area. The wait for food was a bit long (for the standards of Chinese restaurants, so 15-20 min) because I happened to arrive at the tail end of a wave of customers. read more

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This place is so good, my girlfriend started asking me "do you know Zhi Wei to my heart?" This place has my favorite crispy popcorn chicken, I recommend eating in for these, they are so good while hot and crispy. If you don't know what to get for lunch, do the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup and Lamb Skewer combo. The noods are plenty, the broth has great aromatics, beef slices are tender and the lamb skewers are perfectly seasoned, even my friends who don't eat lamb because of its gaminess approved of it. If you are dining with friends who can eat lamb, try it and if you don't like it, you can give it to them, or you might catch yourself ordering extra. We also had their Mala Beef Slices as an appetizer, and it couldn't pair anymore perfectly with the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup. If you wanna cool down after the hot soup, I'd recommend Osmanthus Iced Jelly. I gave this a try over the summer and it's surprisingly refreshing and was something I find myself ordering as a dessert everytime I dine-in. Great customer services, we were seated by the window and they would often check if we needed water. I came in with a dying OM-1 and she asked if I needed a wall outlet to charge it when she overheard us. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Osmanthus Flavored Ice Jelly - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I have wanted to try this place after they were on the Michelin Guide. I don't like the smell when you enter. You can smell lamb, which I am not a fan of. Came during lunchtime, so it was busy, especially with a group of 10+ people. We ordered Lanzhou beef noodle soup, pan-fried buns, and soup dumplings. The Lanzhou beef noodle soup tasted way better than the one in the restaurant in Seaport. My favorite was the soup dumplings, and the skin was thin. It is a little pricey, 2 appetizers with 1 bowl of noodle soup, including tips, it costs over $45. read more

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Came in on a snowy day and it was exactly what we needed. Cozy, clean, and was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand! Ordering is done on a tablet, which was easy and efficient. Our favorites were the Lanzhou beef noodle soup, barbecue lamb skewers, and the handmade pan-fried buns. The handmade pan-fried buns came with a vinegar-based sauce that paired perfectly. The bun itself was thick and had a juicy, flavorful filling. Super satisfying. We also tried the barbecue lamb skewers and chose the spicy option (you can choose spicy or non-spicy). They came with two skewers and had great flavor. For us, the Lanzhou beef noodle soup was the standout. Thin slices of beef, radish, and noodles in a broth that seemed simple at first but was incredibly flavorful. So comforting on a cold day. Service was friendly and attentive. Will definitely be back for more! read more

Small noodle-focused eatery a half story up from ground level on South Street, a bit away from the heart of Chinatown, so be careful not to miss it. A late 2025 Michelin recognition will get more careful eyes on it. Very clean, casual, and friendly without being dumpy. Refined enough without being stuffy. Ordering is via tablet, but servers assist. -- Pork Belly Skewers: I ordered them spicy (via tablet button, and server confirmed), but they weren't spicy at all. A little pale and chickeny-looking, with a chicken feel and a chicken-meets-bacon taste. Tender. Slightly seasoned, with a shallow pool of soy-based condiment and shavings on seasoning underneath. -- House Special Stir Fried Noodles: Firm, thin, wide, long, and slightly dry, with a very good portion of beef, lamb, and shrimp added. All of the proteins were tender and perfectly cooked, but no real additional flavor. A little chili oil spooned on from the table supply remedied the lack of both moistness and flavor, making for a pleasant entree. When the check came, I put down my cash but had to wait exactly 15 minutes (time was on the printout) before the server came back to take it and provide change. Not the end of the world, but a) that's significant for someone who might be paid by the hour and on a lunch break, and b) I expect better of a Michelin-blessed business. Definitely a good lunch, but closer to good than great. read more

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Had such a pleasant experience at Zhi Wei Cafe! Came around 7PM on a Saturday and were seated immediately. They're on the Michelin Guide so of course we had to try some of their staple dishes. Our favorite dish was definitely their hand pulled lanzhou noodles. The broth had a deep heartiness to it, and the noodle texture was absolutely perfect. I think their appetizers (skewers & crispy fish filets) were good, but nothing standout. The service though. Wow, that was some amazing service. All of them were very sweet and quick to assist. Would definitely recommend giving them a try. read more

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Which service, delicious food, beautiful lighting, in proximity to the train station... 10/10 read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This spot is michelin recommended for a reason! Their traditional beef soup is out of this world, with springy hand pulled noodles, tender melt in your mouth beef, and a delicious complexly flavored soup base. I could crave it over and over again. Not to mention the other dishes their menu has to offer which are all just as amazing and perfectly crafted. My personal favorites were the soup dumplings which had lots of broth, a soft tender filling, and a satisfying delicate flavor--they were simple made perfect. As for the restaurant itself, it cozy but fills up fast. Despite being busy, it still never felt rushed or too chaotic. The energy was vibrant, fun, and welcoming. Plus, the service was super friendly and accommodating making the whole experience perfectly satisfying and making you want to come back for more. Overall, this spot is a great hidden gem and I'm glad their being put on the map! read more

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I stumbled on Zhi Wei cafe on a Sunday when I was in the area and really wanted some noodles. It did not disappoint! The scallion noodles were fire. So much flavor. I also got some soup dumplings. Based on how good the food was, I was surprised it was not more packed. My waitress was so great, and I loved the space inside. The prices were not bad, and for the quality, it's somewhere I plan to stop by again for lunch. read more

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Zhi Wei Cafe is truly one of my favorite spots in Boston and I recommend it to everyone. The space itself is super spacious and I've never had to wait anytime I've been there. You order your food on a iPad but the staff is always open to answering any questions that you might have. If you go, the Lanzhou beef noodle soup is a MUST. The lamb skewers are also insane. Highly highly recommend! read more

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I almost never mention customer service in my reviews because, frankly, as long as the food tastes good I don't really care. But it's hard to ignore at Zhi Wei Cafe. There was only 1 waitress serving the entire restaurant, and she did an amazing job. I'm not sure why it stuck with me, but when she brought out the food and said "慢慢吃" it made me feel at home. As for the food, it was pretty solid. I tried the Lanzhou beef noodle soup and the crunchy fried chicken steak. The Lanzhou noodle's flavor was on point, but the noodles didn't taste freshly made. The chicken pleasantly surprised me, as it was really crispy and juicy. The portion was also larger than I expected since it's listed as an appetizer. I'd definitely come back, and I see why it's Michelin recommended. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Zhi Wei Cafe has rightfully earned its spot as a standout in Boston's Chinese culinary scene, recently recognized on the Michelin Guide's recommended list for its authentic flavors. This modern café right outside of Boston's Chinatown specializes in hand-pulled noodles and Sichuan classics, offering a dining experience that is both high-quality and reasonably priced. We placed a takeout order for dinner. The meal was a solid success overall, with particular highlights in the noodles and proteins. The Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles were excellent. the broth had a deep, rich flavor, though we found it a touch on the saltier side. The noodles themselves had perfect texture, the beef was tender, and the chili oil provided a great compliment. The Suan Cai Yu (Sichuan Sour Pickled Fish) was also very enjoyable. The broth had a nice, building kick that wasn't overwhelmingly numbing or spicy, though the sour notes were milder than we expected. The supporting dishes were strong. The Lamb and Beef Skewers were tender, juicy, and well-spiced, with a almost buttery quality to the meat. The Buns had the right, fluffy consistency we look for, though our order unfortunately did not come with the condensed milk for dipping that we anticipated. Beyond the food, the value is notable. The portions are generous for the price, a point consistently praised by other diners. The staff are also known to be quite friendly and helpful. For anyone seeking authentic, meticulously prepared Chinese cuisine, Zhi Wei Cafe is an excellent and worthy choice. It's a restaurant that delivers on its recent acclaim. read more

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This spot is tucked away right outside the main area of Chinatown that I never got the chance to try until now. It hit the spot for a warm meal in the cold. Inside was spacious and welcoming. Their menu is completely online so it was so quick and easy to put in your order without needing to call someone over. The meal itself was good! The broth was flavorful and noodles had a good chew to it. There's not much meat or veggies in it as it is a simple bowl of noodles and soup. It was a tad salty for my tastes but nothing crazy. Overall enjoyed eating here! read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came in on a cold autumnal evening, as we heard good things about this spot - despite it being in a very quiet location in a secluded little side street off Chinatown. Anyway, service was pretty quick, even with the little shop being bustling with customers during the evening we went. And better yet, the food was very warm and comforting -- esp with their hand pulled noodles in their soups. Would come back for more. read more

Found this lovely spot through Yelp as it was in walking distance from our hotel and we wanted to explore Chinatown. While not right in the center of Chinatown, it's close enough to the outskirts - not far from a big transportation terminal. Came a bit late in the evening but the restaurant still had several other tables filled and take out orders being picked up. Inside was nice, quiet, simple, modern. The back wall has a neat history of the Lanzhou beef noodles and certain criteria it must meet. Staff was friendly and helpful in items to try and how to use the tablet to order. Food came out in a couple stages and all was delish. The soup dumplings were solid but skin was a little thicker than I prefer. The lamb pancake was unique and tasty and honestly pretty filling. The Mala beef with rice was tasty and flavorful but probably the one thing we could have done without ordering (we ordered too much food!!). The Lanzhou beef noodles did not disappoint and the bowl was bigger than my head! The BBQ lamb skewers were tasty and you can't go wrong with meat on a stick. Definitely a hidden gem just outside the main Chinatown area that you should put on your list. read more

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This cute cafe is a bit off the main part of Chinatown, which is nice because there is actually parking nearby and it it's less chaotic of a vibe. Ordering is off an ipad (with photos!) which I personally prefer since I didn't feel rushed to order. My mom and I split a beef noodle soup, soup dumplings, and chinese broccoli. It was the perfect amount of food for the two of us and it was great to have a bit of variety vs both getting the soup. They pre-emptively gave us small bowls to share the large bowl of soup. Everything was good and felt healthy/light and made with good ingredients. My only complaint is there wasn't very much beef in the soup, but other than that, this was a solid spot. Not the best I've had, but solid and can recommend. read more

I love this place! I work down the street and have been enjoying the food! I recently went to China as a tourist, and still feel like this place is as good as anywhere i was in china. Its a cute little spot with excellent hand pulled noodles. In my opinion, this may be the best chinese noodle place on boston... read more

Ordered their number #1 Lanzhou noodles. Very disappointed and thought it would be authentic since it's in Chinatown. But it's not the case. Noodles have a soggy texture, soup is not super flavorful. Definitely don't recommend. Price is average for the portion but taste is definitely below average. If you are looking for an authentic Lanzhou noodle spot, this is definitely not the case. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - lan L1. Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup(B) L1. 清汤兰州拉面 很一般 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I'd come back to Zhi Wei Cafe out in the Leather district outside of Chinatown, but maybe more for dinner than lunch. I'm not much of a spicy eater, so I originally figured that the Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup $14.99 was not for me with its chili pepper symbol. However, we came to realize that under the $18.99 1at anniversary special that I could opt for No Spicy, I went with the beef noodle soup and BBQ lamb skewers set. Both were very good! We noticed many tables set with cylindrical pots, and realized that they offered a $88 combo for two that came with 1.5lbs of lamb, veggie combo, an order of skewers, an appetizer, carbs (rice or noodles) and a dessert. Sounds like a decent date night! It would be $58 just for the 1.5lb of lamb plus the pot, so it is +$30 for the rest. read more

This cute little restaurant is such a hidden gem on the outskirts of Chinatown! My partner and I were craving something warm and this place hit our expectations. We started things off with the cucumber salad, beef pancake, and pan fried buns. Each of these shareables were delicious and very flavorful, although we felt like the beef pancake would've been elevated with a dipping sauce (we ended up dipping it in the tasty spicy sauce in our cucumber salad). We also tried the Langzhou beef noodle soup, which seemed like the restaurant's top seller. This was a very good, hearty soup that was perfect for a cold day. The staff here were super nice and accommodating and made the experience much nicer overall. The ordering process was seamless - all on a tablet they provided us. And the interior of the restaurant itself was super charming and cozy. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Highly recommend the lamb skewers. Flavor was really good and not burnt or dry. The Lanzhou noodles was ok, and the XLB skin was a bit too thick. Still a good place, will recommend. read more

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Tucked away in a side street, Zhi Wei offers fresh noodles and small dishes. The menu has a lot of different noodle options! The classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup has a clear broth with abundant fresh noodles and a few beef slices. Service is quick and friendly! The restaurant itself is big but has a strong lamb smell which can put some people off. Street parking only! read more

We tried a ton of different things and they were all yummy. If you're looking for authentic, fast, reasonably priced Chinese food this is the spot. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I came here for a quick lunch while waiting on my connecting train. It's pretty close to South Station. Since I got there around 2pm, it was not busy at all. I had the soup dumplings, which had a good flavor profile, but the dumpling skin was too thick and it could use a little more soup. I then had the lanzhou beef noodles which was adequately spiced for me (though if you're a purist, the noodles are on the clearer side than red). The hand-drawn noodles were also pretty consistent. Overall I decent lunch. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - L1. Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup(B) L1. A19. Homemade Soup Dumplings A19. (4 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Fantastic spot with fantastic food! Items we got (prices as of 2/2025): - Crunchy Fried Chicken Steak - $12.99 - Delicious coating that's not too bready. Huge plus that they use chicken thighs as it made the meat way more flavorful. I would definitely get this again! - Soup Dumplings - $8.99 (for 4) - A star of the show for sure. The dumpling skin is a tad thicker but I attribute that to the sheer size of the soup dumpling! The filling is tender and delicious with ample soup that's very clean tasting. If you like soup dumplings then you HAVE to try this. - Pan Fried Buns - $8.99 - From what I can tell, the meat filling is the same as the soup dumplings, the main difference being the bun that it's incased in. I enjoyed this one as well as the bun is fluffy with a great chew to it. Do note that this takes a surprising amount of time for them to make (it was the last of all the items we received) so expect a wait! - Beef Pancake - $8.99 - This was one of my favorites. The scallion pancake they used to wrap the beef was very flaky with tons of flavor! The hoisin based sauce was also quite good. Only wish there was more than 2 pieces! I would order this again. - Cold Preserved Cucumber - $8.99 - Your standard pickled cold cucumber. If you've had this at other Chinese restaurants then you've had this one. Flavor was good but nothing special. - Fish Filets in Golden Sour & Pepper Broth Noodle Soup - $16.99 - Great hearty broth with ample amounts of fish present. This is great on a cold day (like today was). Noodles were cooked perfectly too. - Stir Fried Beef Rice - $14.99 - Overall it wasn't bad but nothing to write home about. I'd probably order something else next time. Overall we were quite happy with our (rather large) meal! Staff was friendly and ordering is done through a QR code at your table. The only hiccup is the time it takes to bring out the baked foods (ie: The soup dumplings and buns). If you have the time then I would highly recommend this place! read more

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Came in on a late afternoon. It was a bit rainy, but that's good because there's not that many people there I was able to sit down and order off a touchpad. The service was great. My waitress was very attentive came by often. Dropped a water dispenser and cup for me. I only had one dish in mind and that was the Lanzhou lamb noodle soup. The soup base was nice and flavorful had a deep stock flavor. I like how they put the cumin spice powder to the side. The lamb was very tender and tasted phenomenal, especially when you sprinkle on the human powder the meat fell off the bone the noodles were a little soft for my taste, but that was fine. The sliced daikon radish really rounded out the flavor and the fattiness of the lamb. The ambience was very good since they were going for the somewhat traditional look and feel of the Lanzhou noodles theme. There was a large poster board on the wall that's sort of explained the origin of lanzhou beef noodle which was actually pretty cool and informative. Overall, we'll definitely go again to try to out there soups, and menu items. read more

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A little hidden gem tucked between South Station and Chinatown for Braised beef noodle soup, broth is so clean and so healing! Other appetizers that were pretty good like the lamb skewers and the marinated cucumbers. Their teas were refreshing--can give that a try, especially with the spice. Very nice and authentic food very quick service and you can order from an iPad. Large space and plenty of tables for a sit down. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - L1. Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup(B) L1. - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Slightly underwhelmed by this place. Firstly, it smells pretty lamb-y inside (if you're sensitive to smells, you know what I mean). I don't like lamb, so it threw me off a bit. I got the lanzhou noodles and the shrimp fried rice. The noodles were good, but it wasn't my favorite. The shrimp fried rice was good at first, but it was really oily and wet after a while. It was also a pretty small portion for $15. Service was quick, but nothing special. Probably won't come back. read more

I walked past this cafe 2 times before I finally was able to find it. There is no big sign for the store but a small board in front near the stairs with the store name. The interior looked so elegant. We got seated on the first level and on each table was a container of chili oil. The mala tofu tasted extremely fresh, the taste of the silken tofu melted on my tongue. I really enjoyed the thickness and flavor in the beef broth-- I got the non spicy so I could taste the broth on its own and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately after I had taken a bite of the radish, I got distracted and was chatting with my friends and a bug landed and perished in my broth. Thankfully, they were extremely accommodating and took my bowl and gave me another one. The red bean pumpkin cake was better than I thought, I couldn't taste the red bean but I liked the crunch and crispiness of the little cakes. It didn't feel overly oily but had a really nice chew to it. Next time I come back I want to try the fish for sure! read more

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The takeout experience was ok. Got the Lanzhou noodles which was pretty solid flavor wise, but the beef was sparse and the noodles almost certainly were not hand pulled. It hit the craving but I'm not quite rushing to go in person as of yet. read more

Beef dish vegetables ice cold. Beef literally had consistency of Gummy Bear. Fried rice edible but no flavor. Same for fried dumplings. Awful food. Do not recommend. read more

This restaurant is well known for their Lanzhou noodles! They're a bit out of the way since it's outside Chinatown. The restaurant has a fair amount of seating including a big ground floor and a small upstairs with 3 tables. Their menu is extensive with skewer, rice, Lanzhou noodle, hotpot and dumpling dishes. You order from an iPad using Chow Bus. My table all ordered the combo special of their signature beef Lanzhou noodle (spicy or non-spicy) that came with a pair of lamb skewers for $18.99. The noodles were delicious, the beef tender, and the broth was very flavorful to the last drop! This is the best Lanzhou noodles that I've ever had in Boston! The service was good, we got our food within 5-10 minutes of ordering and the waitress was nice. FYI, if you sign up for a new Chow Bus account after you order, you get 10% off. There is one unisex bathroom that's clean. read more

I stopped by Zhi Wei Cafe and tried their Lanzhou beef noodles and popcorn chicken. Both dishes were solid, fresh, comforting, and satisfying. They could've used a bit more seasoning to really bring out the flavors. The broth was clean and the noodles had a nice chew. The popcorn chicken was crispy and light. The interior of the cafe was surprisingly spacious and cute definitely a nice spot to sit down and hang out for a while. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Stopped by after a 5 hour train ride in south station. It's in the heart of the leather district, so parking is a little better than Chinatown. Inside the decor is nice, their branding/packaging are really nice. Their disposable chopsticks are elaborate for disposable cutlery. Food wise, the texture of their noodles are spot on. It's bouncy and has the right chewiness. The Lanzhou noodle was good, a clear broth with hints of schezuan peppercorns. I would order it again. The stir fried house noodle was ok. The noodle and ingredients were good but I didn't care for the stir fry flavor. The hand made pork bun was excellent. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to have soup, but nonetheless something I'd get again. The kumquat tea is something you don't see often so a must get. read more

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One of the worst meals I ever had. Order 3 apps, only edmame came out. It was slimy. Chicken noodle soup. Mainly cabbage, very little chicken. Bland broth. 15 minutes later, ma la beef tender came out. Tiny portion, it was cold. Inedible, I sent it back They forgot our other 2 apps. I can't understand the good ratings. It was truly awful. read more

Taking Amtrak home from Maine to NY and had a 2+ hour layover in Boston. It was bitterly cold so I didn't want to venture too far. This is just a couple blocks away and the menu looked good. Got the braised lamb Lanzhou noodle soup. Nice portion and very tasty. Would have liked a little more spice but still very good. Water was served in a teapot which was unique. Service was also good. If I'm ever back in the area I'd go back. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Braised Lamb Lanzhou Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came back here because it's Michelin recommended. Tried their Hand Pulled Lamb Chops Noodle Soup. It's ordinary. Nothing special. The noodle doesn't taste like hand pulled though. The lamb chop is very fatty and not too tender. The barbecue beef skewer is bad. It's chewy and flavor is ok. Service is good. They tried to interact with customers and ordering is from an iPad. It's convenient. They still have a big lamb smell inside mainly because of the lamb hot pot. read more

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The Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup is so, so good. It's probably the best I've ever had in the Greater Boston area. I will say this is a good place if you're going with a small group as the seating isn't great for a party of one. I do wish that there were more meat slices in the soup, overall I would come back here if I'm in the Leather District. read more

Warm and cozy! The beef noodle soup was spicy, but it wasn't overly spicy where your tongue goes numb~ the chicken heart skewers were a bit dry but flavorful with its spices. The soup dumplings were the main reason I wanted to try this place! They were my favorite part of my meal! Wish the order had more than 4 because I was ready to get more servings! The stir fried shrimp noodles were flavorful and delicious. It was filling and you leave this place satisfied. Upon entering this place, it was clean and relatively empty so staff were prompt on serving us. Bathroom is clean too! read more

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