Noodle Man

October 18, 2009

Lanzhou Lamian Hand Pulled Noodles Plate Steaming - Dali, Yunnan, China - Daily Travel Photos
(Dali, Yunnan, China)
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A plate of steamy Lanzhou lamian, a type of Chinese Muslim-made hand-pulled noodles.

I wanna say this is gamba mian, a type of Lanzhou lamian that includes vegetables and mutton and tastes as good as any spaghetti dish found in the alleyways of Naples. I could be way off on the name because my mandarin is non-existent rusty. If anyone out there has a clue, drop me a line or slap the name in the comments below.

The last non-Korea photo Sunday! On Thursday I fly to Delhi, away from Seoul and away from the fast internet and comfortable desk that made real-time Korea posts possible. I'll attempt to keep my photos as real time as I can but I'll definitely skew towards photos of India while I travel around in India. Until then, we still have several Korea photo days to go! I've saved some of my best work for last!

lanzhou lamian bowl
Lanzhou Lamian Hand Pulled Noodles Muslim Maker - Dali, Yunnan, China - Daily - Daily Travel Photos
(Dali, Yunnan, China)
f/2.8 ▪ 1/160s ▪ @70mm ▪ ISO320 ▪ Canon 5D ▪ Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
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My hand-pulled noodle, er, puller for the time I was in Dali. A young Muslim Hui minority boy from Lanzhou, China who neither spoke English nor ever greeted me, despite me frequenting the place thrice daily. However, that young whippersnapper sure could pull a mean noodle and slap dough with unbridled enthusiasm.

In case I've never mentioned in the past, I'm addicted to food and snacks (and Diet Coke). In each country, I have a certain go-to dish and it just so happens, in China, Lanzhou lamian greases my chops just right. If you find yourself in China, seek out a lamian joint for the best US$1 you'll ever spend in your life.

man stretching noodles

4 Comments - Noodle Man

1) eric limbach -

Your Lanzhou pulled noodles - I had very similar in Xining, Qinghai, about 3 or 4 hours west of Lanzhou, where I worked three summers (1998-2000) on European Union project with Bureau of Animal Husbandry. There was this little Muslim shop within a block of our office building and I would go to lunch there probably 3X a week at least. The cost for the meal was about 3 or 4 Yuan! It was one of my favorite meals. We called the dish "Gamban" but I think it is identical (I have zero Mandarin ability). Have you ever verified the name? Best Regards. Xia-Xia.

February 9, 2011
2) TravelGuy -

Yeah, I'm absolutely certain this is gamba mian. I ordered it nearly every day while I was in Dali because it was the tastiest of all the lanzhou lamian noodles!

February 12, 2011
3) Husna -

Hai... im a muslim and im going to dali next week... can u like tell me where can i find any muslim food/ shop in dali.... btw, where is this shop located? if u can still remember... really appreciate ur help.... thanks.

August 3, 2011
4) TravelGuy -

@Husna, The old city of Dali is not very big. It will be really easy to find the noodle restaurant (if it's still there) by asking for "Lanzhou Lamian" and someone should be able to point you there. It was directly in the center of old town, right off the main street although I never learned their names. Good luck!

August 3, 2011