Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles

Cuisine	Chinese
Price	$$ (16-30)
Rating	7/10
Last Visit	Jan. 23, 2023
Location	SFBA: Peninsula

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General Notes

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Delightful Chinese restaurant emphasizing noodles, with a definitive northwestern flair. The food is great -- there's a reason why this place has gotten so much recognition from various awards. What's really cool is that you can customize the noodle texture -- from "thin round" all the way to "belt flat". They also offer a variety of classics like "pork burgers", big plate chicken, and others. They've got locations in Cupertino and Milpitas too. Definitely would recommend giving it a try!

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Dishes Tasted

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• ★★☆☆ Juicy Pork Burger -- Decent, but not particularly noteworthy. I usually expect the meat in these to be stewed, intensely savory, and super juicy; it was somewhat lacking in all these regards. The flavor was nice, though.
• ★★★☆ Mung Bean Noodles with Garlic Sauce -- Flavor is simple and incredible. The slight tang from the vinegar is a wonderful touch. The noodles are a touch too soft for my taste (would prefer them to have a little more chew).
• ★★★☆ Big Plate Chicken -- the broth is so incredibly flavorful and delicious. Makes for the perfect backdrop for the noodles, which are thick and delightfully chewy. Not a huge fan of the raw bell peppers and onions (would prefer for them to be cooked somewhat), and the chicken could be a touch more tender, but overall a great dish.
• ★★★☆ Stewed Lamb Noodle -- The broth is excellent -- clean and flavorful. It'll make you want to just drink more. I got it with the large flat noodles, which had a nice texture (although a few could have been a touch chewier). My only complaint is that I would have liked a little more lamb, and for slightly fattier pieces to be used.
• ★★★★ Cucumber w/ Garlic Sauce -- Simple but so refreshing and delicious. Cucumber is crisp and fresh, perfectly seasoned, just the right level of tart, and a noticeable but not overpowering garlic flavor. Perfect appetizer alongside a hearty bowl of soup.