Lanzhou Beef Noodles
Lanzhou Beef Noodles
One of China's oldest and most celebrated beef noodle soups, now in instant form from Ga Lan Lang. A clear beef broth seasoned with salt and herbs, paired with signature hand-pulled style noodles. Complete with green vegetables, radishes, and pepper. The kind of ancient recipe that still feels exciting in every bowl.
- Boil the noodles
Add the noodles to a pot of boiling water and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, adjusting the time depending on how firm you like them. These are thicker hand-pulled style noodles, so they need a bit more time than most instant noodles.
- Drain and set aside
Once the noodles are cooked to your liking, drain them well and place them in a serving bowl. Throw out the cooking water as you will be making fresh broth from scratch separately, which gives a much cleaner flavour.
- Make the broth
Add about 300ml of fresh water to the saucepan along with the beef broth packet. Heat it up until it reaches a boil, then carefully pour the hot broth over the noodles sitting in the bowl. It should be fragrant and clear.
- Add the toppings
Open the green vegetable, radish, and pepper packets and scatter them into the bowl. These come ready to use so there is no extra chopping or prep needed. Give the whole bowl a good stir to bring everything together.
- Serve and enjoy
Serve while the broth is still hot and steaming. This classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup has been perfected over centuries, and the combination of clear broth, herbs, and hand-pulled noodles is as good as it gets in instant form.
Background
Every packet has a story behind it. Here's where this one comes from, what makes it tick, and why it made the cut for the box.
Ga Lan Lang is a Chinese brand from Lanzhou, the birthplace of one of the world's oldest beef noodle soup traditions. Their instant noodles use hand-pulled style noodles and traditional broth recipes that date back over a century.
China has more regional noodle styles than any other country, from Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles to Sichuan dan dan mian. Each province has its own noodle tradition, and the diversity of Chinese instant noodles reflects this incredible culinary range.
A hearty beef broth with a robust, meaty depth that fills the bowl. Beef-based noodle soups have a long tradition across Asia, from Vietnamese pho to Chinese beef noodle soup, and the rich flavour of the stock makes every spoonful deeply satisfying.
The noodles in this bowl are crafted to complement the broth style perfectly. The texture, thickness, and cooking time are all calibrated so that the noodles and soup work together as a complete experience rather than separate elements sharing the same bowl.
Lanzhou beef noodles are one of China's three great noodle dishes, with a history stretching back over 200 years. Traditional Lanzhou noodle masters can hand-pull a single ball of dough into dozens of perfectly uniform strands in under a minute.
This is one of those noodles that consistently earns its spot in our lineup. It does not need a gimmick or a viral moment to sell, it just tastes great. The kind of bowl that people order once and then quietly keep reordering. Understated quality at its best.
Topping Suggestions
A few toppings that take this bowl from good to great. Most are already in your kitchen, and every one is optional.
Boiled Egg
A soft-boiled egg brings a creamy richness that complements the noodles perfectly, providing a luscious, slightly savory contrast.
Bok Choy
Bok choy infuses a fresh, slightly bitter green taste and adds a crunchy element that complements the softer noodles.
Spring Onions
Spring onions provide a mild oniony bite and a touch of freshness, adding a hint of pungency and color to the dish.