Ningde

This well-established, down-to-earth joint specialises in beef rice noodle soup - a staple for many Ningde natives. The broth exudes meaty and herbal aromas that draw in the customers. The slippery rice noodles work magically with pickled mustard greens as well as sliced beef, which retains a lovely chew. Also try their beef offal soup that features cuts like bouncy tripe and tender ox tongue. Beef meatball soup is another best-seller.

For over 20 years, this shop has been a landmark of the Wuqu food scene. Since it moved to Ningde, the owner continues to craft everything in Wuqu style. Their bian rou dumplings are tossed in sauce or served in broth, boasting bouncy pork filling and paper-thin translucent skin. Dried cuttlefish and pork rib soup is packed in umami, while slippery taro noodles dressed in soy sauce and pickles seduce with savoury depth and tangy acidity.