This eatery was another recommendation from my oldest nephew. He’s surprisingly turning into quite the foodie—even though he doesn’t use Instagram or any social media, which makes me wonder where he’s getting his intel. But being the good uncle I am, I decided to give his suggestion a go.

I ordered the 招牌兰州牛肉面 + 茶叶蛋 + 手工饮料 (Signature Handmade Beef Noodles + Marinated Egg + Drink combo). Since I’d never heard of this place before, I figured starting with their signature dish made the most sense. I also opted for the slightly wider noodle type to see how it compared.

First to arrive were the marinated egg and the pear tea drink. The drink came with a thin slice of pear floating inside—an unexpected but pleasant touch. It leaned slightly sweet, but was very refreshing. Then came the noodles, and the smell alone was enough to build excitement. The broth was clean yet deeply flavourful, comforting and balanced.

After a few spoonfuls, I added a splash of black vinegar, which took the flavour to the next level. If you’re ever after a great bowl of noodles, I highly recommend always adding a bit of black vinegar—it really elevates the whole experience.

The noodles were excellent—chewy and slightly wider, though not as wide as I expected. The thinly sliced beef was tender and complemented by equally thin slices of daikon, which added a subtle crunch. The broth wasn’t too spicy, but packed with delicious flavour. The marinated egg was tasty too, though I’m always reminded of how lucky we are in New Zealand to have those vibrant, golden egg yolks.

Overall, it was a very satisfying bowl of noodles. The combo was well thought out, with each element adding to the meal, especially the drink. Perfectly portioned for lunch, and I’m already keen to come back and try a dry noodle version next time.

Website: Master Lanzhou Noodle Bar