Xiangfu Lao Huai Noodle House (Qinghe Road branch)

Xiangfu Lao Huai Noodle House, the Qinghe Road branch, is a self-operated noodle shop at No. 51-6 Qinghe Road in the Qingjiangpu District of Huai'an, Jiangsu province, China. The shop is on Qinghe Road, one of the main streets of the Qingjiangpu side of the city, in the same general area as the Huai'an Banquet Huaiyang restaurant at the Qinghe Road and Aimin Road junction. The name Lao Huai, meaning old Huai'an, signals a focus on local-style noodles, and the signature item is Huai'an-style noodles (huai mian), a regional preparation of wheat noodles in a savoury broth with local toppings. The shop is small and tidy, with a handful of tables, quick service and a mainly local clientele. The Ctrip listing shows 18 reviews and a rating of 5.0, so the sample is small but positive. Noise is low to moderate, and dress is casual. Average spending is about 23 yuan (roughly 3.40 US dollars) per person, a very low price even by Huai'an standards. 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, 飨府.老淮面馆.自营(清河路店), 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 solo diners and quick meals. Its location on Qinghe Road makes it convenient for visitors staying in the Qingjiangpu area, and it can be paired with a visit to the nearby museum and canal-side attractions in the north of the district for an inexpensive day of local food.