The ramen, century egg tofu and soybean milk were absolutely delicious. The service was excellent as well. Thanks to the ongoing World Cup matches, the restaurant got suddenly flooded with customers, yet the staff managed everything efficiently and kept everything running in perfect order. We left feeling fully refreshed and energized after the meal. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - 牛肉拉L2. Beef Noodle Soup(B) L2. 兰州清汤牛肉汤面 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Yum! Great value, clean space, and very helpful and friendly servers. If you're not that hungry you can get a bowl of the noodle soup and get some extra noodles and it's a great amount to share between two people. But if you're hungry the bowl of noodles is hearty and filling. I liked their iPad menu ordering too. The only thing I noticed was that the lamb scallion pancake roll wasn't hot or even warm when it came out. read more

See all

This is my favorite Lanzhou Noodle Soup I've tried in the Boston area! The soup was rich, the needles fresh and chewy, and they don't skimp on the meat. Food: The noodle soups were the star. For a great price it's almost all you need for a satisfying meal. The appetizers and drinks good accompaniments to try out and share new dishes. Atmosphere: The dimmer lighting was a great fit with the cozy bowl of noodles. Service: The food came out very fast and the staff were pleasant. read more

See all

Great dumplings! I got the Lanzhou pulled noodles with lamb and they did not disappoint. The service was super quick as well. Definitely a hidden gem near south station work checking out. read more

Okay for all my fellow peanut allergies: the beef broth has peanut oil. Do not order unless you want to die! No other reviews mentioned this. I am used to LA (real Lanzhou) noodles and soup. Those tend to not use peanut oil so I can get the beef noodle soup. They also come with any size noodle that you want. Zhi Wei Cafe makes you pay $2 extra for wide noodles and they feel NOT hand pulled. They feel rolled out and cut. There is no variation in thickness and width of the noodle. Hand pulled noodles are usually a little curly/wavy and these were like pappardelle pasta. It felt also old. It was not chewy and that was a shame. The noodles make the dish. And they did not make the dish. The beef noodle soup: my sister said it felt watered down and like it was missing something. Chicken noodle soup: it was literally veggie broth made of carrot and celery. With chunks of chicken thigh and the bad noodles. You order on your phone and they bring you the food. I feel like that would affect the tip that they receive on the check. The bathroom was also clogged and I really needed to pee. I would not come back here again. Sorry read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - L10. Chicken Noodle Soup L10. 鸡肉汤面 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

The lady was so gracious enough to travel down and meet me for lunch (we both were working) and this spot was right where i was stationed for the day! Heard about it but finally got to try it. We ordered: - popcorn chicken - nice light and crispy, i just wish the seasoning was tossed in more as most was just concentrated on the top center. - chicken heart skewers- decent but would have benefited more with seasoning. - pork belly skewers great cook on these, nice bites again though, some seasoning would have taken it up a level. - golden fish noodle soup - fish fillet was tender, the golden soup portion imo could have been more punch with the sour spice of what i believe golden soup usually brings but could be diff region styles. - soup dumplings thought this was good ample amount of soup, filling was generous. Skin wrap was thick but not overly so to make you sick of chewing it. - braised lamb noodle soup - not spicy, lamb tender not gamey. Came out hot! Plenty of noodles to get you full! -crispy tofu - actually loved this dish. Crispy exterior, soft silky tofu inside with a nice drizzle of a spicy mayo type dressing on top. Would recommend! read more

See all

This review is for the soup dumplings!!! Came in for lunch and was immediately seated! Fun music playing in the background! You order off of a QR code and the food came out relatively quickly! I was in and out in about 45 min! The soup dumplings were fresh and delicious and generous! They were perfect to not share with anyone hahah highly recommend putting the chili oil and vinegar on them for some amazing flavors!!! The kumquat tea was also nice, sweet and refreshing! I would dine here again!!! read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - D9. Kumquat Lemon Tea D9. 金桔柠檬茶 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

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

See all

I have been wanting to try Zhi Wei Cafe for some time now & finally found myself in the area to grab dinner here. It was pretty busy the day we visited but did not have trouble getting a table ~7pm. Once seated, the server provides a tablet to order food! All the ordering is done through the tablet. They have A LOT on their menu, a bunch of the dishes piqued our interest & seemed right up our alley! We ordered the following: -crispy tofu -pork belly skewers -chicken hearts -braised lamb noodle soup -golden fish fillet noodle soup -popcorn chicken -soup dumplings I wished the noodle soups could've been spicier. I added 5 scoops of chili oil but I didn't find the chili oil to be spicy at all. It did help to make the soup more enjoyable though. The chili oil for the pork belly and chicken skewers were great. Has a slightly sweet note to it & in terms of spiciness, not spicy at all either. I think this is perfect for anyone who likes a little kick but not fully on board with spice. The skewers were great. We liked the seasoning they used; it was slightly spicy with a hint of sweetness. Note: we came here for lunch a week after this visit & we didn't enjoy the pork belly skewers as much. The pork belly was too fatty & was not grilled long enough to be rendered, so we found it hard to enjoy. The crispy tofu was our favorite appetizer! It's nice and crispy on the outside & soft on the inside, and came with a sauce to dip that complimented the tofu well. The popcorn chicken was okay. It was crispy and light but we believed that it could benefit from having more of the dry seasoning. There was a light dusting of the dry seasoning that only covered the top five chicken pieces, however, all of the other pieces remained bland. I think if they added more of the seasoning & tried tossing the chicken while it's still hot in the seasoning, it would be much better. Lastly, the soup dumplings were solid. They came with thicker skin than other spots around but we liked that the filling was pretty generous. Very soupy & had good flavor. Overall, Zhi Wei Cafe is not too shabby. It gets the job done if you're looking for Lanzhou noodles and fried appetizers. Service is very meh & food could be more flavorful. read more

See all

Came here to buy food for my mom's birthday. The place was clean and neat. Plenty of seats inside. Servers were a bit puzzled when I told them I am ordering to go, perhaps vast majority of their customers are grubhub drivers picking up orders. The server kept it together and took my orders promptly. I ordered their Lanzhou beef noodle soup, mala beef, grilled pork belly skewers, and chicken heart skewers. I was pleased that servers check spiciness level for every dish I ordered. It only took them 15 mins to give me my food, very timely!! My mom said that the food is great and the beef is still juicy despite not being eaten immediately. I guess I should try their food myself in the near future. No photo for this review due to food were for take out read more

great meal! service was incredible as well. my friend and i ordered a decent amount of food for just the two of us, and a server had checked in to confirm we didn't accidentally over-order but we really appreciated them looking out for us haha the lanzhou beef noodle soup is super flavorful, particularly loved the texture of the noodles. meat was a bit chewier than i would've liked but still good overall the soup dumplings were also yummy, loveddd the broth. no notes! the stir fried house special noodle was only decent, it didn't really stand out despite its name. i found that it was lacking in flavor. not sure if it was just the bite i had or something specific, but it was salty.= read more

See all

Being placed at the bar table because they need ordinary tables to serve a big group. 20 minutes after I placed the order using the QR code, the waiter told me there is no hand pulled lamb chops because they need to serve the big group, which is ridiculous. They offered spicy lamb for replacement, but the meat was as tough and woody as a tree trunk--impossible to chew and constantly getting stuck in my teeth. Their price is also higher than the menu, which is claimed to be the menu "3 years ago". Who would place a menu 3 years ago at the host stand, amazingly ridiculous. The noodle also tasted nothing like the original 兰州拉面. It tasted like 老干妈. Never again. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Excellent noodles! That's the fundamental attraction of this spot and it lives up to it. Nice environment, and the specific flavors of each dish are well done, but this is first and foremost a great noodle spot. Very convenient spot to grab a quick meal close to South station. read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - L1. Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup(B) L1. 兰州牛肉汤面 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

Decent food, nice decor; not that authentic however in terms of noodle, and of the half dozen noodle dishes we ordered only about half weren't overcooked texture-wise. Seasoning is also a bit heavy on the salt. Friendly competent service. A little confused as to why this place is Michelin-recommended but maybe it's due to lack of alternatives in Boston. read more

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

One of my favorite places in Boston to go. I have been many times. The food is great. Their Lanzhou noodles is their calling card and definitely worth trying. I would say try the braised beef noodle soup. The broth is a little different from the main dish but it is quite good. Everything else does its job and tastes like it was made with effort and care. However the quality can fluctuate depending on the day. It doesn't hurt the wallet compared to other Boston based restaurants and cannot complain about the service. 8.7/10 food was great - still nothing truly spectacular or creative but worth a try. read more

Food was excellent we got the noodle soups ( we had the traditional beef and fish kinds) which were specialties. We had the soup dumplings too. It took a long time for them to bring some of the food (that is the reason I don't give 5 stars) but otherwise service was fine. The place is conveniently located near train station so it is perfect read more

Zhi Wei Cafe - Fish soup - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

Zhi Wei Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

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