It's Reigning Noodles This Year Of The Horse

Lan Zhou Handmade Noodle  Chinatown (144 E. Broadway NYC)

sum up: This hub of hand-pulled noodles packs a glutenous punch. With delectable dumplings too, get your Chinese fix for under $10.

looks: Designed for fast eating, not lingering, the bare-bones spot doesn't bother with decor, save for the neon, steaming soup sign that lures diners inside. 

ambiance: Slurp to the soundtrack of thwapping dough as an aproned cook stretches, grapples, and rolls in the corner. Noodle-side seating beats the Food Network any day.  

Hand-pulled noodles with fried pork

Swimming in a bowl of gelatinous pork-bone broth and bok choy, the freshly-made noodles are terrifically toothsome. A dozen of options are available for pairing; we opt for the crispy pork cutlet that's fit to be fried.  

How does a dough log become ribbons of glutenous goodness? Witness the noodle wizardry in this video below.  

Pork dumplings

Available steamed or fried, the pork n' scallion dumplings are magnificently delicious. Talk about bang for your quarter; these gems cost just 25 cents a pop.