A long-established Zhengzhou huimian house known for lamb-bone broth simmered for hours, wide hand-pulled noodles and generous lamb slices. The dish is Henan's signature comfort meal and this is one of the standard places to try it in the capital.
Heji Huimian is a long-established noodle house in the old commercial core of Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province in central China. It sits in the Dehua Street area of Guancheng District, a short distance from the historic city-centre neighbourhood, and serves huimian, the braised hand-pulled noodle dish that functions as Henan's everyday signature meal. The cuisine is Henan home-style cooking with a strong halal-friendly lamb tradition, and the kitchen is built around a single idea: a mutton-bone broth simmered for hours until it turns rich, milky and deeply savoury.
The signature order is the lamb huimian (羊肉烩面), priced at roughly ¥28-38. The noodles are pulled wide and thin, cooked directly in the broth, and finished with slices of lamb, kelp, bean thread and greens. A larger braised lamb with noodles set costs about ¥45-60 and suits visitors who want more meat. Condiments such as chilli oil, vinegar, garlic and coriander are added at the table, so each diner adjusts the seasoning to taste. Huimian is considered the emblematic comfort dish of Zhengzhou, and this restaurant is one of the standard places visitors are pointed to when they ask where to try it in the provincial capital.
The dining room is a busy canteen. Bowls arrive quickly, tables are shared, and the noise level is that of a working local restaurant rather than a quiet sit-down venue. There is no dress code and no formal beverage programme; diners typically drink hot tea or water, and bottled soft drinks are available. Service is fast, which makes the restaurant a practical stop between sightseeing in the old city.
No reservation is needed or taken. The restaurant operates on a walk-in basis, and the only planning issue is timing: queues can form at peak lunch hours around noon, and the broth is at its freshest earlier in the day. Opening hours are approximately 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily, so it also works as a breakfast stop. Because chain branches exist, visitors should type the Chinese name 合记烩面 into Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图) to find the branch nearest to them. Payment is normally by Alipay or WeChat Pay, and prices remain low by any standard, with a full meal usually under ¥60 per person.
| Price | $ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily approx 7:00 AM-9:30 PM |
| Reservations | Walk-ins only; no reservation needed. Find the branch by typing the Chinese name into Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图). |
| Address | Dehua Street (德化街) area, Guancheng District, Zhengzhou, Henan (Chinese: 郑州市管城区德化街附近合记烩面) |
Signature dishes
- Lamb huimian (羊肉烩面) — ¥28-38 (~$4.2-5.7)
- Braised lamb with noodles set — ¥45-60 (~$6.7-9)
Good to know
- Known for
- Zhengzhou lamb huimian in a slow-cooked mutton-bone broth
Location
Dehua Street (德化街) area, Guancheng District, Zhengzhou, Henan (Chinese: 郑州市管城区德化街附近合记烩面)
34.7545, 113.6735 View on map
Highlights
- Lamb huimian in a mutton-bone broth simmered for hours
- Wide hand-pulled noodles cooked to order in the broth
- Generous lamb slices, kelp and greens in every bowl
- Henan's signature comfort meal at a full-meal price under ¥60
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM to avoid the noon queue.
- Add chilli oil, vinegar and garlic at the table to taste rather than asking for them in the bowl.
- Order the plain lamb huimian first; the braised lamb set is better shared between two.
- Search 合记烩面 in Amap or Baidu Maps to locate the nearest branch.
- Pay by Alipay or WeChat Pay; cash is accepted but card use is limited.
When to visit
Breakfast or an early lunch before noon gives the freshest broth and the shortest wait. Cold weather from November to March is when a hot lamb bowl is at its best.
Accessibility
Casual canteen-style dining room, usually at street level with shared tables and limited space between them. Wheelchair access is not confirmed and varies by branch, so visitors with mobility needs should check the branch entrance.
Frequently asked questions
What is huimian?
Huimian is a Henan dish of wide hand-pulled noodles braised in a lamb-bone broth with meat, kelp and vegetables. It is considered the province's signature everyday meal.
Do visitors need to reserve a table at Heji Huimian?
No. The restaurant is walk-in only and turnover is fast. The busiest period is around midday, when a short wait for a shared table is common.
How much does a meal cost?
A bowl of lamb huimian costs about ¥28-38 (roughly $4-6). The braised lamb and noodles set is about ¥45-60.
What are the opening hours?
Hours are approximately 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily, though individual branches may vary. Check the branch listing in Amap or Baidu Maps.