When a steaming bowl of this dish arrived at the table, the aromas came swirling from the dark, clear broth. I could discern five-spice, cinnamon and a soothing slight sweetness.

As I dipped my spoon in, I couldn’t help envisioning a cauldron bubbling, as bones and spices were added periodically.

Smooth, hand-pulled noodles complemented the rich broth. The noodles had a firm texture but a springy elasticity. Resting on the noodles were hunks of bone-in roasted duck, the crisp skin lacquered and the meat falling-off-the-bone tender. A pile of scallions and bits of cilantro boosted the bright flavor from the blanched baby bok choy.

There was harmony in the bowl, but with a main player — the broth. As I twisted and stretched the long, slippery noodles, it was the slurpable broth that I wanted. The ginger, star anise, fennel, peppercorn and clove long simmering with beef bones created a savory depth that would be perfect for a day with a bit of chill to it.

LanZhou Ramen. 5231 Buford Highway NE, Doraville. 678-691-2175, lanzhouramenatlanta.com

Sign up for the AJC Food and Dining Newsletter

Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following @ATLDiningNews on X and @ajcdining on Instagram.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Socks’ Love Barbecue is on Buford Highway in Cumming. 
Courtesy of Wendell Brock

Credit: HANDOUT

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT