Lamian: hand-pulled noodles that save December nights
Open seven days a week without a break, Lamian pulls Chinese noodles by hand five minutes from Place Kléber. The most reliable cheap meal in the centre.
The verdict
When every winstub, the Alsatian taverns that fill the old town, is fully booked, Lamian serves. Seven days a week, straight through from late morning to late evening, it pulls Chinese noodles by hand in front of the customers. At 20 rue du Fossé-des-Tanneurs, five minutes from Place Kléber, it is the most dependable cheap refuge in the centre, and it earns its keep during the Christmas market.
What to eat
Lamian, the hand-stretched noodles of north-west China, served in steaming broths or stir fried, at prices that stand out in this part of town. Watching the dough being pulled is part of the meal.
Visiting tip
All day service is the secret weapon: eat lunch in the middle of the afternoon, or dinner late in the evening, with no queue, while the centre overflows. A steaming bowl of noodles after the December lights is one of the real bargains of the season.
Frequently asked questions
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Camille Roth
Born in Schiltigheim, Camille spent ten years working in Strasbourg kitchens before swapping the apron for a notebook. She writes about winstubs, the city's newer tables and Alsatian produce. Her rule: never recommend an address she would not send her own parents to.
