Strands of Bliss

BIANG BIANG MIAN | 
Address: 420 Zhaotong Rd, Huangpu District (near Henan Middle Rd.) | 黄浦区 昭通路20号 (近河南中路)
Telephone: 138-1807-5164
Hours: Daily 8:00 – 21:00
Price: 15 – 20 RMB/person
Cuisine: Chinese – Shaanxi
Rating: 5/5

 

Heavenly hand-pulled noodles.

For some reason, Shaanxi hand-pulled noodles are not as highly praised as they should be. There should be more restaurants in Shanghai that feature these strands. Hidden on a small street near Nanjing East Road is this hole-in-the-wall Shaanxi noodle shop.

 

They feature an array of hand-pulled noodles, both thick and thin, but the very thick belt-like biang biang noodles are their specialty. Once ordered, the noodle man in the back starts pulling and slapping belts of dough against the counter until they’re just the right thickness. There’s a window so you can watch the show. Let me tell you, these are solid strands. I’m not the only one who thinks so. I think the lunch rush is proof in itself.

 

What we ordered:

Biang Biang Mian (biang biang 面), Bo Cai Mian (菠菜面), Sao Zi Mian (臊子面), You Po Mian (油泼面), Rou Jia Mo (肉加馍).

 

 

Biang Biang Mian (biang biang面) | 20 RMB

This is the classic biang biang mian dish topped with everything. Once it’s all combined with the thick noodles, the dish is actually quite heavy. While I love the texture of the chewy noodles, I find the dish a tad too saucy and sweet. It’s still a great dish though and for your first time I would recommend you try it if you like things saucy. Recommended.

 

Bo Cai Mian (菠菜面) | 20 RMB

This spinach noodle dish uses the same sauce/toppings as the biang biang mian above, but I find the overall taste better because the veggie taste of the spinach noodle offsets the sauce’s heaviness. Recommended.

 

Sao Zi Mian (岐山臊子面) | 15 RMB

This soup noodle dish has a tangy, sourness from vinegar, which adds great flavor. Almost has that ‘hot and sour’ soup taste. The noodles are hand-pulled into thinner but very chewy strands that compliment the soup. Great for a cold day. Recommended.

 

You Po Mian (油泼面) | 16 RMB

This is my favorite dish here. If you can eat spicy, then this is a must-try. It is a kind of biang biang mian using the same chewy, wide noodles but with lots of chili flakes and oil (possibly some vinegar and soy sauce). I love the simplicity of this dish and have a regular craving for it. Strongly Recommended.

 

Rou Jia Mo (肉加馍) | 8 RMB

This meat sandwich pairs so well with biang biang mian. It’s not the best one I’ve had, but still very tasty and always a side to my noodles. The pork meat is flavorful and stuffed into flatbread. Order one and share it with a friend. Recommended.

 

Bliss Tips:

• Avoid lunch rush between 12:00 – 13:00
• Cash only
• Be sure to mix all the soup-less noodles quickly to avoid the noodles sticking together as a clump
• These noodles are also not recommended for take-away. Best eaten there!