NYC's 4 Best Restaurants For Hand Pulled Noodles
Lam Zhou Handmade Noodle & Dumpling
144 E Broadway
New York, NY 10002
(212) 566-6933
Walking into Lam Zhou, the dingy appearance and the distinct language barrier might scare you. Forging ahead will be rewarded kindly though with dinner and a show: the show being, of course, the man in the corner pulling your noodles on the spot after you order them. Watch him thwack a ball of dough on the tabletop and expertly pull the dough into strands of noodles that are then quickly cooked in a flavorful broth for you to enjoy. The language barrier is overcome a little bit here since they've translated the menu into English, with numbers next to each item, for your ordering ease - basically, choose what you want your bowl of noodles to be topped with. Regardless of your choice, be sure to add on an order of the fried dumplings: they are a thing of beauty.
Kuai An La Mian
28 Forsyth Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 941-7678
Despite its numerous name changes, the noodle soup at 28 Forsyth Street remains the same: toothsome noodles, hearty servings, and an incredible roasted chili oil on the table that will brighten any chili-head's mood immediately, while those who are heat-averse can sample just a teeny bit and be happy. The broth is good, but the chili oil makes it better; the noodles slippery but expertly pulled into strands of wonder. There are many permutations from which to choose, but ever popular seems to be the house special, which is topped with a fried egg for good measure.
Sheng Wang
27 Eldridge St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 925-0805
Around the corner from Kuai An La Mian is Sheng Wang, arguably the first hand pulled noodle shop on the scene to make its presence known in mainstream media - and for good reason. The noodles are pulled fresh after you place your order - or cut, if you order the knife-cut noodles (sometimes called "peel" noodles), then dunked quickly in boiling water before being served up quickly topped with your choice of protein. Regardless what you choose, though, each bowl is graced with their homemade fish balls stuffed with a juicy nugget of pork - so delicious that a bowl topped with just these is an excellent choice. Pro tip: for about $5, you can take a bag of frozen pork-stuffed fish balls home for those days you just can't get to Chinatown.
Super Taste
26 Eldridge St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 625-1198
If Sheng Wang was first on the scene, then, Super Taste was close behind - it's just across the street from Sheng Wang, though considerably smaller inside. With a menu very similar and yet different from Sheng Wang, Super Taste makes it mark with specialties such as the Mt. Qi noodles - a bowl of noodles that is so spicy it almost glows neon red. While there are plenty of non-spicy options, there's no reason not to try these at least once if you like spicy foods. The Mt. Qi noodles delivers.
