Yipinju Lanzhou Noodle Bar — Restaurant in Southampton

Doesn’t worth the trip unless you live really close.

Recommended by a friend in Portsmouth and we travelled all the way there to try that out.

Food was ok despite not too authentic nor remarkable. It’s okay once in a blue moon to try something out of the ordinary fish and chips in this country. The beef noodles (I believe no 1 on the menu) is the best of all. It would be better if the soup is clearer and with more flavours. I suspect the chef there has put lots of MSG in coz I can actually feel drinking MSG while I had a sip of the soup. (I’m not very sensitive to MSG though)

Soft drinks were not chilled as well. The cashier offered to freeze it for us but I just rejected, I don’t know if my drink would get in touch with raw food or other stuffs in the freezer.

Worst part of the trip was the service and the noise. Other diners kept talking loudly and also the servers and the chef! Making it almost impossible to talk in the shop. The owner isn’t even willing to give us small bowls so we can share the food (3 of us ordered three mains…. We just want to try more varieties!)

Cleanliness is also a part of concern… I’d wonder why they could be given 5 star hygiene rating when the cashier handles money then food without washing his hands or putting on gloves…. The shopfront of full of rubbish as well… the chopsticks and spoons seem not been washed properly and thus we have to go back to our car to get sanitizers and our own chopsticks (luckily we have some). It’s really authentic in this sense…. Looks like we were in China and eating in those small local shops there.

If I live closer, I would have go there and eat once every 6 months but driving for around half an hour… it might be the only time I’d be there.

Good value though… only £9 for a big bowl of noodle.

UPDATE - I got very sick a few hours afterwards…. Visiting toilet three...

Today, I had a rather unpleasant dining experience here. As a regular customer for over two years, I walked into the restaurant with my friend, just like any other day. After placing our orders, the staff informed us that we had to wait for the chef to finish their meal before they could prepare our dishes. Despite our growing hunger, we found a seat and waited.

After a fifteen-minute wait, I faintly heard someone say hello next to me. I put down my phone and looked over, only to find two people at the neighboring table asking if we had placed an order. They seemed to be part of the restaurant staff, and I confirmed that we had. One of the chefs used exaggerated body language to describe how my friend had ignored his greeting, which she hadn't noticed at the time. He then asked if we were hungry, which left me feeling perplexed and somewhat disgruntled. Did they only plan to start working if we answered yes? The whole unpleasant conversation lasted for 2 minutes. My friend and I were both taken aback by this ‘outgoing’ interaction.

When our food finally arrived, I went to the counter to ask for napkins. The same chef handed me blue cleaning paper and apologized for their earlier behavior, claiming it was just a joke. Frankly, we couldn't quite appreciate this kind of joke, which is why, from the moment we left the restaurant to now as I'm typing this, we still can't calm our inner feelings. This dining experience has left my friend and me with a very unpleasant memory, and we are uncertain if we will return to dine there as we used to...

The restaurant is very basic, an open kitchen with a few tables and chairs. It is clean and bright.

Sorry but I have tasted what they serve and honestly comparing the same dish what i had where this originated.

This experience had been a big let down. We went in there put our order in from the laminated A4 menu at the counter and been told they do not take card. The nearest atm is 2 blocks down.

Could have told us before ordering or state so on their website. We travelled an hour to come here. Spend time looking for carpark and look for atm to pay for a £20ish meal for me and my mrs .

Wanted something the posted on the wall but being told that merely advertising which is different to what they are actually serving.

They offer canned soft drinks. The whole experience takes you back to islamic state of rural china back in the 60s i guess.

Food took awhile to prep which is fine because that is done fresh. Thin slices of beef and vegetables with vineger or chilly oil to add...seriously...?? You could added a bit more sides

The dishes were ample but i find blend edging on tasteless. Why so tight on the spices for some reason.

Given the experience as a whole. I like the distinct offering but i find it is more of a gimmick. This are very traditional dishes and quite common where it is originate.

It is hard to fail given their offering yet i do not see myself coming back...