The best hand-pulled noodles by TTC subway stations

A staple in China, this dish has recently made its mark in Toronto. Here are some transit-accessible spots to find it.

A chef at Yee’s Hand Pulled Noodles in Toronto works with lā miàn dough in the window of the restaraunt — Yee’s Hand Pulled Noodles is one of the best spots in the city to get this popular dish. (Ramona Leitao)

Lā miàn, also known as hand-pulled noodles, has come a long way since it was created centuries ago in mainland China.

And for good reason: The hand-made, signature-long noodles are perfect to eat on a cold day. It’s warm, hearty, and fun to eat.

Lā miàn dough is made with three simple ingredients: wheat flour, water, and salt. Through repeated pulling and slamming on a table to create a uniform thickness, the dough is then transformed into soft, smooth, and elastic noodles.

It’s a sight to see at restaurants, where chefs typically create the noodles right in front of you. The noodles are then traditionally prepared with a clear beef broth, two thin slices of white radish, red chili oil for the spice, coriander leaves to add a green touch, and thin slices of beef.

There are many versions of lā miàn’s origin story but here’s the most commonly told one: A Hui Muslim chef in Lanzhou, a city in northwest China, first invented this dish around the late 1790s or 1800s. His descendants continued making his noodles, including Ma Baozi, who, around 1915, made the dish the staple that it is now, with clear beef broth and the other ingredients it's known for. Its popularity among Chinese Muslim communities and the use of beef instead of pork gave it the nickname “halal noodles.”

Today, lā miàn has made its way around the world. In recent years, we’ve seen both small businesses and chain restaurants open up multiple locations right here in Toronto, with some of them being close and accessible via TTC Lines 1 and 2.

Here are five restaurants where you can get top-rated hand-pulled noodles, all close to TTC subway stops. Each restaurant offers noodle thickness and shape options ranging from narrow to classic to thick.

Noodle Me

Address: 2422 Bloor St. W.
Nearest TTC subway station: Jane

Maybe the closest to a TTC stop of any restaurant on this list, Noodle Me is located right next to Jane Station. It offers traditional hand-pulled noodles for $13, as well as chicken, lamb, and vegetarian options.

Noodle Me is a cozy, casual spot where you’ll most likely hear BTS being played on repeat. Their noodles definitely have a more buttery taste in comparison to the other restaurants, and the heart-shaped eggs served with certain dishes are pretty charming.

This restaurant also has another location in Hamilton.

1915 Lanzhou Ramen

Address: 185 Dundas St. W.
Nearest TTC subway station: St. Patrick

You need to know how to navigate 1915 Lanzhou Ramen as the restaurant has two businesses on the same street: one catered to dumplings and more casual snack options, and the other dedicated to noodles and meal-like dishes a further two doors down.

Named after the noodles’ city of origin and the year when they became a staple, 1915 Lanzhou Ramen offers hand-pulled noodle dishes priced from $11 to $15. Cold noodle options are also available, as well as less traditional dishes like fried chicken.

The restaurant also has another location in Richmond Hill.

GB Hand-Pulled Noodles

Address: 66 Edward St.
Nearest TTC subway station: Dundas

GB Hand-Pulled Noodles is one of the more popular spots for this dish in Toronto. It opened about five years ago, and you can often catch students purchasing a meal here due to its proximity to Toronto Metropolitan University. It’s also one of the locations with a patio.

GB’s noodles come in different-sized options starting at $11. If you have the appetite, there’s a mega bowl option that costs $16.

The broth at this restaurant is a lot lighter in comparison to the other restaurants, and their beef is more tender. Currently, the noodles are not pulled by hand and are made with a machine as a safety precaution introduced during the pandemic, say staff.

There’s also another location on Gerrard St. near Pape St.

Mogouyan

Address: 760 Yonge St.
Nearest TTC subway station: Bloor-Yonge

Another one of the more popular hand-pulled noodle restaurants in the city, Moguyan made its way from Lanzhou itself to Canada in 2019. The city has three locations in Toronto alone and one in Edmonton. Its Yonge and Bloor location is a contrast from the hustle and bustle outside.

Once you enter, you immediately see chefs preparing dishes to your right and seating for customers at the back part of the building. It’s a warm and calm atmosphere.

As for the food, the restaurant features the classic lā miàn dish, as well as topping options like chicken or vegetables. The price for the classic dish is $13.50 for a regular size and $16.95 for a large. The noodles taste a lot more eggy in comparison to the other restaurants.

Yee’s Hand Pulled Noodles

Address: 24 Wellesley St. W.
Nearest TTC subway station: Wellesley

Out of all the restaurants, Yee’s probably offers the largest portions for your dollar. Their prices range from $10 to $13, with a mega bowl option. Their dishes are served in olive green bowls that bring out the vibrant colours of the food.

While they offer the traditionally made lā miàn, their optional toppings include braised beef brisket (which seems to be a popular choice), short ribs, pork intestines, and tomato and egg. Yee’s is often bustling with younger customers in the evenings and on weekends.

All photos by Ramona Leitao

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