State-Run Cold Noodle Restaurant (国营大冷面饭店)

State-Run Cold Noodle Restaurant is a Korean-Chinese cold-noodle house at 8 Shanghai Road, Xinchun Street, in Changchun's Nanguan District, Jilin Province, northeastern China. It has served Korean-style buckwheat cold noodles since 1966, and its name reflects the era of state-owned restaurants in China, when many dishes of regional character were preserved in publicly run canteens. The noodles, known as da lengmian or large cold noodles, are served in a chilled, slightly sweet and sour broth with sliced pickles, egg, beef and fruit, a dish that comes from the Korean community of northeastern China and is eaten even in cold weather. Signature dishes also include shitou bibimbap, rice, vegetables and egg served in a hot stone pot so that the rice forms a crust; ganzha liji, dry-fried pork tenderloin with a crisp coating and light sweetness; and pan-fried pollack, a simple fish dish typical of Korean-Chinese cooking. Typical spend is about ¥33 (roughly $5) per person, which makes it one of the most affordable listed meals in Changchun, and the restaurant holds a rating of about 4.9 on review platforms. The dining room is a plain, practical space with canteen-style tables and fast turnover; dress is casual, and the noise level is moderate to loud at the lunch peak. Beverages are tea, soft drinks and beer. Reservation is not commonly used, and lunch on weekends can draw a queue because of the restaurant's reputation, so arriving early or in the mid-afternoon is helpful. Visitors can order a bowl of cold noodles with a hot dish to share, and the tangy broth is usually adjusted at the table with vinegar, mustard and chilli to taste. For travellers looking for the Korean-influenced side of Changchun cooking at very low cost, it is a long-established and well-regarded choice.