Lanzhou cuisine

  • Jiangshui Mian

    In the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou, where the Yellow River cuts through the landscape and the air carries the scent of hand-pulled noodles and roasting lamb, there is a dish that rivals the famous beef noodles in local affection – yet remains largely unknown beyond the region. Its name is jiangshui mian (浆水面),…

  • Hui Dou Zi: The Humble, Hearty “Grey Pea Soup”

    In the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou, where the Yellow River cuts through the landscape and the air carries the scent of hand-pulled noodles and roasting lamb, there is a humble dessert that has been quietly warming the hearts of locals for over three centuries. Its name is hui dou zi (灰豆子) – literally…

  • Ruan’er Pear – the “soft pear”

    In the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou – known as the “City of Fruits” for its rich agricultural heritage – winter brings with it a culinary treasure that defies logic. It looks like a blackened, shrivelled lump of something gone wrong. But beneath that unassuming, dark exterior lies a revelation: a honey-sweet, juice-packed delicacy…

  • Braised Lamb

    In the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou, where the Yellow River cuts through the landscape and the air carries the scent of hand-pulled noodles and roasting meat, there is one dish that rivals the famous beef noodles in local affection: braised lamb (黄焖羊肉). Known locally as huangmen yangrou, this rich, savoury stew of tender…

  • Tianpei Zi

    In the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou, where the Yellow River cuts through the landscape and the air carries the scent of hand-pulled noodles, there is a humble snack that has been cooling and comforting locals for over a thousand years. Its name is tianpei zi (甜醅子) – sometimes written as tianpei (甜胚) or…

  • Lanzhou Beef Noodles

    In the northwestern Chinese city of Lanzhou, where the Yellow River cuts through the landscape and the ancient Silk Road once passed through, a day doesn’t truly begin until you’ve had a steaming bowl of beef noodles. Known locally as niurou mian (牛肉面) or affectionately as niu da (牛大) – “big beef” – this…