Written by: Aimen Khan
Posted on: August 26, 2019 | 
Lanzhou Beef Noodles
An interesting phenomenon taking over the commercial areas of Islamabad is the upsurge of restaurants offering authentic Chinese cuisine. Lanzhou Chinese Beef Noodle makes its distinct mark within this culinary tide, by offering homemade noodle soups for anyone who is curious about Chinese food. This restaurant is named after the city of Lanzhou, of the Gansu province in northwest China. Lanzhou sits at a meeting point between China and Central Asia, carrying a rich and diverse legacy, which dates back to the Old Silk Route.
Since a considerable amount of its population comprises of Muslims, the region’s cuisine does not feature much pork. Instead, the people there consider noodles to be a crucial staple to their meals, especially those of the beef and lamb variety. They often make their noodles themselves, by pulling the dough into long thin strands to make them fluffy and moist. Keeping this in mind, my sister and I were excited to experience this firsthand.
Walking through F-7 Markaz, this restaurant may not be the first to catch your eye. It can be accessed through a narrow, obscure staircase close to the Markaz mosque. Although we dropped by on a Saturday afternoon, not many people were around. The interior was modest, consisting of plain furniture and bare white walls.
One could tell that this restaurant is still adapting to a Pakistani audience. The chefs were both Chinese, and so were the majority of the customers sitting in the restaurant. The only Pakistani there was the waiter, who acted as a translator between us and the chefs. We were initially confused by the all-Mandarin menu. But we soon realized that we had been given another menu with pictures of every dish, which definitely helped us choose. My sister and I ordered a bowl of beef noodles, stuffed buns, and dumplings.
The restaurant featured an open kitchen, which allowed us to peek inside to see how our meal was being prepared. The bread for the buns was kneaded and tossed about, twisted and untwisted into knots, making it a sight to behold. Not only was the food cooked from scratch, it was cooked quickly as well. While we waited for our meal, we were served complimentary hot tea in a large pitcher. Within twenty minutes, our meal was served, piping hot, and ready to be devoured.
We began with the steamed dumplings stuffed with meat. They were small, bite-sized, and filling enough. The meat was seasoned mainly with salt and pepper, but was surrounded by warm broth, which erupted in our mouths as we bit into them.
Next, we tried the stuffed buns, which were truly a delight to have. The perfectly round, fluffy dough looked delicate and magical. They were stuffed with a mixture of stir-fried carrots and meat. Overall, the buns had a lot more flavor than the dumplings, and for Rs. 100 apiece, we felt that they stole the show.
The main course was a large bowl of beef noodles, served with broth and vegetables. The broth was seasoned lightly, and topped with parsley. However, there seemed to be only a few bits of beef, which was a let-down. The noodles were thin and long, different from those of conventional noodle soups. It was a bit of a challenge navigating the noodles, and cutting them into more manageable bites. But, the large, hearty bowl was enough to satisfy two very hungry customers. It was a generous helping for RS.450, and, along with a drink, our total bill was RS.900.
Lanzhou Chinese Beef Noodle is an affordable option that can cater to any group looking for something new to try. Yes, a certain palate is necessary to truly enjoy the food. But, the meal was simple yet hearty, consisting mainly of salt and herbs, especially in the broth. Noodle and dumpling enthusiasts should definitely give this place a try, especially in the upcoming months.
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