Seasons are changing, and what better way to enjoy the day than a warm bowl of food? For this week’s food review, I decided to switch out the American cuisine we’ve been testing for some Asian cuisine. Situated in Palmer Square, Lan Ramen advertises its hand-pulled noodles and authentic Northwestern Chinese food. 

The restaurant is located under the street, and the general seating area has earthy tones to fit the style of food. We started off by ordering the beef buns. The soft dough was warm and delicious, but the chewy meat and sauce used in the bun didn’t go together. 

In comparison to the beef buns I’ve had in New York, the texture and flavor of these were mediocre. Overall I’d rate the appetizer a 5/10. 

Though the first course wasn’t our favorite, the main dish definitely made up for it. The Ultimate Lanzhou beef noodles we ordered were deliciously flavorful and had the perfect amount of spice. The chili oil paired with the braised beef left a delightful aftertaste, and the hand-pulled noodles mixed wonderfully with the warm broth. 

The portion size is average– not too big or too small. Overall we gave this dish a rating of 8/10. 

Another entree we taste-tested was the Sesame Chicken. Served with broccoli and rice, the entree itself was the perfect mix of sweet and savory. The chicken itself is slightly crunchy on the outside but warm and soft on the inside. My personal favorite way to eat this dish is mixing the chicken and the rice so the rice is doused in the sweet sauce. 

The portion size can serve two people. In the end we gave it an 8.5/10. 

A meal for two people will be at least $50. The pricing may be high for some but it’s fairly average for the Princeton area. All in all, Lan Ramen is definitely a must-visit destination in Princeton!