Chen Z Noodle House Wife Xiaoli Zhang and her husband Chen have operated Chen Z Noodle House in the Oak Hill Centre in Southwest Austin since July 2014, serving traditional northwest China fare.[/caption]

Chen Z Noodle House opened in July 2014 in Southwest Austin because owner Zhao “George” Chen said there is an abundance of Chinese-American restaurants in the area but less competition in traditional Chinese food.

Diners can find hand-cut noodle dishes with simple ingredients, Chen said. All noodles are made in-house and are not dried out before cooking, he said.

Chen Z Noodle House There are about 20 pork dumplings in an order ($9). The dumplings are served with a spicy chili sauce.[/caption]

“The food here is pretty close to what you get in northwest China,” Chen said.

Just as in northwest China, seafood entrees are not offered, Chen said. Lamb, pork and beef, the three main types of meat in northwest China, appear on the menu in dishes such as pork belly buns ($7.50), noodles with lamb and spicy chili sauce ($10), and noodles with ground pork and leeks ($8). Chicken dishes are also available.

Chen has worked in the restaurant business all his life and lived in Austin for 25 years, he said. The Oak Hill restaurant is the third in Austin.

“A lot of the customers [who] come in are new, try the food for the first time and like it,” he said.

6705 W. Hwy. 290, Ste. 606 512-892-8888 Hours: Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Chen Z Noodle House Customers order dishes from the picture menu on the wall near the ordering counter.[/caption]