CHOW NOW: Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

Freezing cold evenings call for several things: a hot drink, a good book, and—most importantly—a huge bowl of piping hot noodles from Chinatown to lull you into a carb-y slumber at the end of the day.

When the brusque waitress at Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House shoved a massive porcelain bowl in front of me, I knew I was in for a treat. The noodles, all pulled by hand to order before being tossed into a rapidly boiling pot of water, were starchy, chewy, and much longer than a standard boxed noodle.

The nest of noodles in my bowl was gently bobbing in a massive pool of fragrant broth that wavered between salty and sweet. Hints of ginger peeked out from the background of a savory curtain of rich beef flavor and crunchy pickled cabbage leaves added a toothsome texture to the mix. I chose to stir in a generous shimmering spoonful of spicy chili oil that clung to the surface in a crimson slick.

I opted for the unctuous roast duck and my friend the classic beef brisket. We agreed both meats were delicious, but I didn’t expect to have to pick out bones of each fatty piece of duck with my chopsticks.

A beginner’s mistake? Yes. But the duck was so juicy I would say it was worth the hassle.

The house-made chicken dumplings (not pictured) brought a taste of Southeast Asia to the table with hints of coconut and curry. The outsides were steamy, soft, and just tacky enough to pick up a salty coating of soy sauce.

So CHOW NOW at Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House!

-Chase Matecun