Chuzhou Gang Noodle House (East Long Street branch)

Chuzhou Gang Noodle House is an old-city noodle shop at No. 167-10 East Long Street in the Huai'an District of Huai'an, Jiangsu province, China. East Long Street belongs to the historic part of the city that was formerly called Chuzhou, a district of traditional lanes and small food shops that also contains the Hexia Ancient Town and the Zhou Enlai Memorial area. The shop specialises in gang noodles (gang mian), a regional style of wheat noodle in which the dough is kneaded and rolled using a heavy wooden pole or bar, a technique that gives the noodle a firm, chewy bite. The name of the noodle is linked to this pressing method, and it is a regional specialty in the Huai'an area rather than a dish found widely across China. Noodles are served in broth with toppings in the local manner, giving a filling and inexpensive meal. The shop is simple and functional, with plain tables, quick service and mostly local customers; noise is moderate at lunch and dress is casual. The listing shows a rating of 4.0. Average spending is about 34 yuan (roughly 5 US dollars) per person. No reservation line is published and reservations are not customary; guests walk in, and those who want to check queues can search the Chinese name, 楚州杠面馆(东长街店), in the Dianping or Meituan apps. Drinks are limited to water or soft drinks. The shop is best visited at lunch or early dinner, and it suits visitors who want to taste a regional noodle that is specific to the old city. It can be combined with a visit to the nearby Shi Er Wonton shop on West Long Street for a lighter snack.