Xinjiang Ban Mian

I’m Nick Hamman and I’m looking for the best noodles in South Africa, and this small Cyrildene spot is part of a culinary tradition that sits at the crossroads of China, Central Asia, and the old Silk Road.

What you’re seeing is the POV from the Lazy Susan as it spins around this small hole-in-the-wall on the corner of (hey, come back... there you are) Derrick and Hettie Road in Joburg’s second Chinatown, Cyrildene.

The joint is called 新疆拌面 (Xinjiang Ban Mian), which translates roughly to “Xinjiang Mixed Noodles” or “Xinjiang Hand-Pulled Noodles.”

I decided to go for the Cumin Stir-Fried Mutton with Hand-Pulled Noodles.

Xinjiang is China’s far northwest region. The food has strong Central Asian influences and is famous for these freshly stretched noodles topped with stir-fried meat and vegetables seasoned with cumin and chili. The noodles are thick, irregular, and springy. The mutton is rich and slightly gamey, the cumin adds an earthy, smoky aroma, and the tomatoes, green peppers, and onions are left to do their own thing, shining as their authentic selves.

I’d put this in the category of hidden-gem regional Chinese food — the kind of place many locals walk past without realizing it’s serving one of China’s most distinctive cuisines.

I would highly recommend trying it out for yourself, so I’ve left the details in the caption. But if these aren’t the best noodles in South Africa, I need you to let me know in the comments where I’m going next.

📍Address: 21B Hettie St, Cyrildene
📍新疆拌面
📞 068 981 1111