Fresh Chinese Noodles (Lamian) & Restaurants in Shanghai, China

Living in Shanghai, China has opened my eyes to much of China’s deep food culture. China is the birth of all things gastronomic, don’t be mistaken and think the Italian’s came up with pasta, it was a spin on the ancient art of Chinese noodle making, Lamien. The restaurants I frequent around Shanghai  (Pudong) by the Expo Village have been given nick names. This is simply because we can not read Chinese, so it is much easier to just call them by a memorable or identifiable names, such as Purple Chair, Crystal Underground, Duck Face…and so on.

Lamian noodles, known in Chinese as Lamian or Lamiantiao are popular with many ethnic groups both in Xinjiang and the rest of China. The name “Lamian” means “pulled noodles”.  These noodles are the best I have ever had!  It took me a while to find a recipe , but they are made with simple ingredients. Click on the LaMian link above to read more on the process.

Ingredients:

6 cups pastry flour

1 1/2 cups regular enriched flour

3 1/2 cups water

This particular restaurant has 9 tables, has 4 chefs, and the head chef and noodle master (who works in the front part of the restaurant).  These noodles are commonly found in small Muslim run shops where you may not consume alcohol and must be a little more respectful of your surroundings. The way it works is you order with the head chef, he then starts pulling the noodles to order. You can see him from him inside the restaurant in the photo. The head chef then opens the sliding window and drops them into this huge stock pot outside.  That’s right I said outside!

After about one minute he signals for another chef to come by, pull them out and place them into a bowl.  The 2^nd chef fills the bowl with the “mystery broth”, and garnished with fresh cilantro leaves, crispy sprouts, and thinly sliced halal lamb shoulder. The mystery broth (just an educated palate guess) is steeped with marrow, black pepper, and herb stems. This has truly been one of the best culinary experiences of my life, and keep going back for more!

So remember when in Shanghai, swing through Huwanhung Lu and look for the Pulled Noodle House or simply ask a local where you can find Lamien!