Few things beat a bowl of noodles that were stretched by hand just minutes before they hit your table. Across the Twin Cities, a handful of Chinese noodle shops have turned this old craft into a weekend habit for hungry diners.
Saturday and Sunday evenings fill up fast at these spots, and the reasons go beyond the chewy, springy texture. Here are four places where fresh noodles, rich broths, and scallion pancakes keep people coming back.
1. Master Noodle (Saint Paul), St Paul, MN
University Avenue has plenty of good food, but hand-pulled and hand-cut noodles like the ones at this St Paul shop are hard to find anywhere else nearby. The noodles come out fresh and soft, with a pleasant chew that holds up well in a big bowl of broth.
The Lanzhou noodle soup is a strong first order, loaded with big chunks of beef. Spice fans can go for the Chongqing spicy noodle soup, which balances heat with a slightly sweet broth.
Side dishes deserve attention too. Steamed beef dumplings, Sichuan wontons in chili oil, scallion pancakes, and pork belly round out the table, and there is a full vegetarian menu for anyone skipping meat.
I like this stop for a weekend dinner with a group. Saturday and Sunday evenings are the busiest stretch, so arriving earlier in the afternoon helps.
The restaurant at 1337 University Ave W is open daily from 11 AM to 9:30 PM, takes reservations, and has free parking. Most meals land around 10 to 20 dollars per person.
2. Master Noodle (Edina), Edina, MN
Southwest suburb diners do not need to cross the river for great noodles. The Edina location on France Avenue serves homemade hand-pulled noodles that are fresh, soft, and nicely chewy.
The menu leans into soups. Choices include Lanzhou noodle soup with tender beef, Chongqing spicy noodle soup, and Shanxi shaved noodle soup, with cold dishes like Sichuan cold noodles and spicy beef shank for warmer days.
One fun item is a beef burrito-style wrap made with cucumbers and hoisin sauce. It pairs well with a crispy scallion pancake.
The dining room is tidy and the service is quick, which suits families. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easy to bring little noodle fans along.
Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days and until 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with free parking and curbside pickup available.
3. Meet up noodle 碰个面, Minneapolis, MN
Dinner and a show is a real thing at this Minneapolis spot. A viewing window inside lets you watch cooks pull noodles by hand on the spot.
Once you have seen the dough stretched, the Lanzhou beef noodles taste even better. Beijing zhajiang noodles, topped with savory bean sauce, are a vegetarian option worth ordering.
Small plates fill out the meal nicely. Spicy wontons in chili oil and flaky scallion pancakes make good sharing dishes.
The restaurant sits at 2 E 26th St, just off Nicollet Avenue. Street parking can be tricky, so plan a few extra minutes.
Friday and Saturday evenings are peak times. It opens at 11 AM most days and 11:30 AM on Sundays, closing at 9 PM except Fridays and Saturdays, when it stays open until 9:30 PM.
4. Master Noodle（Pho at mall of America), Bloomington, MN
Shopping marathons at Mall of America call for real fuel. This compact counter-service eatery inside the mall serves authentic hand-pulled noodles alongside a variety of dim sum.
The Lanzhou beef noodle soup is the headline dish. It is a hearty, quick meal before heading back to the stores or rides.
I would save this one for a busy family day at the mall. It is casual, offers free wi-fi, and works for takeout too.
Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 7 PM on Sundays. Free parking garages make the trip simple, and meals usually cost 10 to 20 dollars per person.
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