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A taste of Datong

Lao Chai Knife-cut Noodles

老柴削面

A small local chain doing one thing: daoxiaomian shaved straight off the dough block into boiling water, served in a fresh-tasting broth with a generous ladle of braised pork or tomato-egg. At around ¥21 a head it is the cheapest proper meal on this list and the most honest introduction to the dish Datong is actually famous for.

¥20–30 per person≈ US$2.98Several Datong branches including Xiangyangli (向阳里店)
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Why come here

A place worth making time for

Appears high on Ctrip's Datong must-eat ranking (No. 11 at the time of checking) with a top user score and roughly ¥21 per head; no formal award.

The house favourites

What to order

Point at the Chinese. Staff will understand it even where the menu has no English at all.

  • Knife-cut noodles with braised pork (猪肉刀削面)
  • Knife-cut noodles with tomato and egg (西红柿鸡蛋刀削面)
  • Cold marinated side dishes (凉菜)

What it actually tastes like

The vinegar pot on the table is not optional seasoning in Shanxi; locals pour in a startling amount. The noodles are thick-centred and very chewy by design, not undercooked.

Allergens in this kitchen

gluten/wheatsoyegg

This is the kitchen, not one dish. Woks, fryers, blanching water and utensils are shared in almost every Chinese restaurant, so for a serious allergy treat the whole premises as the unit rather than ordering around it.

Get to know the menu

Local specialities to try here

Knife-Shaved Noodles 刀削面The noodles themselves are mildly wheaty with a notably springy, uneven chew; the flavour comes from the topping — usually a savoury minced pork and soybean sauce.