Master Lanzhou Noodle Bar - CBD — Restaurant in Melbourne

Lanzhou beef noodles are a delectable dish that combines tender slices of beef with hand-pulled noodles in a savory and flavorful broth. As a food enthusiast, I was intrigued to explore the scientific aspects of this traditional Chinese cuisine.

The key scientific aspect of Lanzhou beef noodles lies in the composition of the noodles themselves. The traditional hand-pulled noodles are made from a combination of wheat flour, water, and salt. The gluten in the wheat flour provides the noodles with their characteristic elasticity and chewy texture. When the noodles are pulled and stretched repeatedly, the gluten network becomes aligned, resulting in the formation of a well-structured and uniform noodle.

Furthermore, the broth in Lanzhou beef noodles is crafted from a complex blend of ingredients, including beef bones, onions, ginger, and various spices. The slow simmering process allows for the extraction of collagen and gelatin from the beef bones, which contribute to the rich and velvety mouthfeel of the broth. The combination of spices such as Sichuan peppercorns and star anise provides a depth of flavor that tantalizes the taste buds.

The succulent slices of beef in Lanzhou beef noodles are not only a source of protein and essential nutrients but also play a crucial role in enhancing the overall umami taste of the dish. The beef is thinly sliced to ensure rapid cooking and tenderness, highlighting the scientific principle of meat fiber structure and its impact on texture and juiciness.

In conclusion, Lanzhou beef noodles offer an exquisite culinary experience that intertwines science and gastronomy. From the complex interplay of gluten in the hand-pulled noodles to the extraction of collagen in the broth, this traditional Chinese dish exemplifies the intricate science behind the art of cooking. As Bill Nye the Science Guy would say, "Consider the science, and savor...

his was my first time having hand made and fresh made noodles. I did not know what to expect. I really was excited to go there. This restaurant is located on Elizabeth street, very near to the tram stop. When you enter the shop you see a fridge and there are many small plates kept with snacks in them. It was a bit confusing for me at first, do I need to pick a plate or not, is it included in the price or not, and everything became clear after I talked to the girl on the counter.

You decide which noodles you want, dry or soupy, you decide your meat and flavour, and if you wish you can get a snack by paying extra. There is one more important decision to make, What shape and size do you want your noodles to be in. There are many options from very thin to very thick and flat. After you decide all of that you sit at your table and wait, or as I did, stand by the kitchen window and look at the chefs stretching the dough and turning them into noodles.

After doing this I went to my table and the noodles had already been served. The service was really quick. They have made good use of the small space that they have got. The seating was not very roomy but once I started eating the noodles, I forgot everything else.

I had Lanzhou hand made beef noodle soup with thick noodles. These noodles were just amazing. The flavour of the soup was spot on. It had absolutely the right amount of chilly which will alert your senses. The winner in this dish were the noodles. The texture of the noodles was one of the best I’ve had. There was generous amount of meat in the bowl. But those noodles just blew me away. They had almost the perfect amount of chewy feel to it. I will rate these noodles among the top ones that...

TLDR: Delicious food, a little pricey, quick & helpful service, self serve kiosk errors

Detail: early lunch stop with husband and toddler on the way home. We decided to just go up the 2 steps instead of walking around to the accessible entrance and it was fine for us. We selected English in the self serve kiosk and things were fine until we got the part where you select to pay but then it reverted to ... another language (I assume it was Chinese). We asked for help and quickly got our order submitted.

The restaurant has mostly tall tables and stools but there were 3 tables further in with signage that they were reserved for people with accessibility, pregnancy or family needs. There was enough space to park the stroller out of the way.

We also asked for an extra bowl and scissors too chop up the noodles for my son and the wait staff quickly got things for us. The food arrived quite quickly.

We had eaten a little earlier so we only ordered one bowl of their signature beef noodles, no chilli, with an extra serve of noodles. This came up to ~$20 which from my perspective is expensive for 1 person's meal. Serve size is perfect if you're really hungry or to share between 2 if it's just a top up to tide you over.

The noodles were very soft and springy. The broth was clear and tasty. The beef was textured, which we also liked. We finished everything. My son ate more than his share.

Will probably only go back if we're looking for top up, or if I'm really craving that springy texture of...