I’m not normally thankful for London roadworks which mean I have to get off the bus three stops early but I’m thankful as if not for that I wouldn’t have walked past this place.It was still being fitted out when I saw it but helpfully they had a opening date which was the Friday just gone. After doing some digging I discovered it was by the people behind Xi’an Impression which I’ve been to a number of times and is a favourite of mine. The only problem is that Xi’an Impression is all the way in Holloway which is quite a schlep from South London. The menu here is almost identical to Xi’an Impression so I went with my standard order.
西安凉皮原味 Xi’an cold noodles aka Liang pi (cold skin noodles). Their signature dish with lovely texture on the “noodles” which aren’t really noodles as they are made differently to normal noodles even though they resemble them. It’s the tangy smoky sauce that makes this dish.
孜然牛肉夹馍Xi’an beef burger with special sauce. Very thin slices of beef with cumin and quite a sweet sauce on a lovely toasted bun. Not completely au fait with Xi’an bread but it was lovely. I’ve had the pork version at Xi’an Impressions but it wasn’t as good as the beef version.
It’s another good addition to my lunch options close to my office though unfortunately I start a new job next week which is in Canary Wharf but I’ll try and fit in one more visit before I change jobs.
Qishan Hand-pulled Noodles with Pork in Soup
岐山臊子汤面
Perfect texture on the hand pulled noodles. A lovely sour broth. I’m not sure what they braised the pork in but whatever it was it was definitely imparted a great deal of umami . I can;t remember eating a better noodle soup dish in London for quite some time.