Hand-pulled noodles are what Lanzhou is known for. It's in an area of China that's generally too dry and too cold to grow rice, so wheat is a bigger crop and noodles take a bigger role in its cuisine.

Lanzhou also is located along ancient trading routes, which explains spices such as cumin that season skewers of tofu and lamb. 

Its most famous dish, Lanzhou beef noodle soup, will remind you slightly of Vietnamese pho with its braised beef slices, cilantro and dark broth with a hint of cinnamon.

Dandan noodles and wonton in a Sichuan peppercorn sauce are among the spiciest dishes on the Kung Fu Noodle menu. More typical are mild, comforting dishes such as tomato-egg noodles and "Bite of China" pork-noodle soup, which includes tofu, ground pork, carrots and potatoes.