Lanzhou Chinese Beef Noodle — Restaurant in Zone 1

Stepping into the F‑10 Markaz branch of Lanzhou (often called Lenzhao), you’re instantly struck by its bustling, authentic vibe. Though the interiors are modest—plain furnishings and compact seating—the heart of the experience lies in the food itself.

The beef noodle soup is the undeniable highlight. Each bowl arrives piping hot, filled with hand‑pulled noodles that are supple, springy, and skillfully made right in front of you. The clear broth is light yet intensely flavorful, infused with beef essence, herbs, green coriander, chili oil, and white radish slices in the traditional “five-color” presentation that defines Lanzhou-style noodles . Despite the minimal chunks of beef in the soup, the broth’s depth and aroma more than compensate—creating a comforting, soul-satisfying dish beloved by locals and expatriates alike  . At around Rs. 450–700 per bowl, it offers exceptional value for a plate of handmade noodles and hearty drinkable soup  .

Equally impressive are their Mamtu dumplings—tiny parcels with silky wrappers and juicy, well-seasoned minced beef fillings. They’re steamed to perfection, retaining tenderness and carrying a delightful burst of savory flavor. Reviewers on Google and Reddit often praise the dumplings and consider them some of the best in Islamabad .

What truly elevates this F‑10 branch is the genuine Chinese approach: skilled Chinese chefs hand‑pull the noodles and oversee the broth, while Pakistani support staff assist in service . The result is food that tastes like a spoonful of authentic Chinese cuisine—rather than the overly sweet, heavy “Pakistani Chinese” you’re used to.

Yes, the restaurant has its quirks: seating is tight, decor minimal, and service sometimes disorganized or inattentive—as many reviewers note  . But the food consistently makes up for these minor flaws. Even diners who endured slow service or rude staff still returned, drawn back by the addictive broth and noodle texture  .

In summary, Lanzhou in F‑10 Markaz delivers: • Beef noodle soup: aromatic, clear yet rich broth, long homemade noodles with comforting chew, excellent value. • Mamtu (dumplings): delicate wrappers and juicy, savory beef filling—a must-try starter or side. • Authentic experience: Chinese chefs, imported ingredients, and traditional techniques make every visit feel genuine.

If you’re in Islamabad and craving real Chinese flavors—especially a soul-warming bowl of beef noodle soup and flavorful dumplings—Lanzhou’s F‑10 branch is absolutely...

We always go to Lanzhou because it’s our comfort food, but the service has now become unbearable.

During our recent visit, the waiter blatantly ignored us despite multiple requests for a bowl. Another guy even pointed us out to him, but his response was, “Ignore them.” Eventually, I had to get up and grab the bowl myself from their shelf. When we informed the chefs about the waiter’s rude behavior, they didn’t address the issue — instead, we saw them laughing with the same waiter shortly after, which felt like we were being mocked.

At billing time, things got even more unprofessional. They suddenly demanded cash, even though we had paid via bank transfer on previous visits. The bill had no NTN, just Chinese text and some additional charges scribbled with a pen. When we paid in cash, they asked us to return the bill. When we asked why, he said “we keep this for our record,” and when I asked how I’m supposed to keep the record, the waiter didn’t respond. We refused to give back the bill and left.

The food might still be good, but the blatant disrespect from both the waiters and kitchen staff has made it impossible to enjoy the experience. As loyal customers, we expected basic courtesy. Sadly, this may be our final visit to...

I'm extremely disappointed with my recent visit to Lanzo Restaurant. Despite being regular customers at various Chinese restaurants and appreciating authentic Chinese cuisine, our experience at Lanzo was subpar.

The service was unprofessional and poor. Our waiters were non-cooperative and didn't seem to care about our concerns. We repeatedly informed them that our order wasn't cooked properly, and we didn't receive the correct main course. Their attitude was dismissive, and it felt like they weren't interested in resolving the issue.

The food was also a letdown. The noodles we ordered tasted like street food, not authentic Chinese cuisine. It was like they served a bland, poorly cooked chow mein. Given our experience with Chinese food, we know what to expect, and Lanzo fell short.

Overall, our experience at Lanzo Restaurant was disappointing. With better service and food quality, they could improve their reputation. Unfortunately, we won't...