2. Lanzhou, Gansu Province

Champion beef noodles in Lanzhou

Synonymous in the minds of food-lovers with hand-pulled beef noodles, Lanzhou also has one of the liveliest street food night markets in China.

Just west of the city center, the buzzing Zhengning Lu bazaar houses more than 100 street food stalls.

On offer is a broad selection of hot and cold dishes with emphasis on local Hui cuisine.

Highlights include whole grilled fish seasoned with aromatic cumin and sesame paste (RMB 25, US$4), sweet, hot bowls of nai zhou (milk rice with sultanas, peanuts, sesame seed and beaten egg, RMB 8) and flaky pastry rou bing stuffed with meat (RMB 2).

No trip to Lanzhou is complete without feasting on noodles at Wumule Penhui, the 2012 winners of Lanzhou's annual pulled noodle competition. The halal restaurant makes noodles spicy enough to satisfy even the most hardened heat-seekers.

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Zhengning Lu Night Market (兰州正宁路夜市), Zhengning Lu, Lanzhou. Nightly from 6 p.m. until late.

Wumule Penhui Beef Noodles, 2168 Bei Huang He Zhong Lu, Lanzhou 吾穆勒蓬灰牛肉面, 七里河区北滨河西路1268号, +86 139 1989 3333, open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

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