If you spot a table at DH Noodles & Grill crowded with steaming bowls, dry noodles, lamb ribs and plates of marinated cucumber, you’re in the right place.
This Plano restaurant, located at 2001 Coit Road, Suite 165, is the first Dunhuang Food location in Texas and is introducing locals to hand-pulled halal noodles and the hearty flavors of China’s northwestern Hui Muslim communities.
A Bowl Steeped in History
The menu’s star attraction? Lanzhou beef noodle soup, a dish famous for its visual and culinary balance: clear broth, white radish, red chili oil, fresh cilantro and yellow handmade noodles.
“Our most popular soup is the original version,” Xinran Xu, owner of the restaurant’s Plano location, told Local Profile. “You can add chili oil if you like spice, or order it spicy from the start.”
The noodles themselves, hand-pulled fresh in-house, can be ordered in a range of widths. The broth is rich and savory, while the dry noodle and stir-fried noodle options deliver equal depth of flavor without the soup.
A Halal Tradition
DH Noodles & Grill is part of Dunhuang Food, a U.S. chain that began in New York in 2015. The concept is rooted in the cuisine of the Hui people and the Silk Road town of Dunhuang, where Middle Eastern and Chinese cultures blended through centuries of trade and migration.
“This is Chinese Muslim cuisine,” says Xu. “A lot of Middle Eastern traders stayed in that region, married into local families and brought Islamic traditions. That’s why there are so many Muslims in that part of China, and this is the food they eat.”
In fact, the location in Plano is the first in the chain to go fully halal — both to reflect the food’s origins and to serve the city’s large Muslim population.
“We decided to make this one 100 percent halal,” Xu said. “One of our business partners is Muslim, and there is strong demand here in Dallas, which has one of the largest Muslim communities in Texas.”
Not Just Soup
While the beef noodle soup draws the headlines, the broader menu deserves attention. Xu recommends ordering a mix of soups, dry noodles and larger chef’s specials to share.
- Spicy crispy lamb rib — a deep-fried and stir-fried favorite served with creamy chili powder, garlic and pickles
- Braised beef or chicken plates served over flat noodles or rice
- Noodle with sauce — a dry noodle dish layered with rich sauces
- Stir-fried noodles
- Marinated cucumber and shredded potato salad
- Chinese burgers (肉夹馍) with lamb or beef tucked into warm pita-like bread
“This cuisine is naturally halal and so delicious,” Xu said. “And the Chinese burger is very good — I recommend the lamb.”
Making the Menu Easy
With customers from many backgrounds, including Chinese, American, Japanese and Muslim diners, DH Noodles & Grill is updating its menu to make ordering easier. Symbols will indicate which dishes are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or spicy, and dish numbers will help simplify communication for those who speak English as a second language.
“Not everyone here speaks English as their first language,” Xu said. “Adding numbers and symbols will make it easier for everyone.”
A Taste of History and More
Lanzhou beef noodles are more than a comfort food. Xu noted that this dish influenced the development of Japanese ramen. “This is the origin of ramen,” says Xu. “It’s so good.”
The Plano location is also adding a few popular extras, including a yogurt dessert brought over from Xu’s other restaurant. “It’s not part of the cuisine,” she says. “It’s just delicious.”
Whether you order a bowl of traditional soup or venture into the chef’s specials, DH Noodles & Grill offers a rare window into the flavors of the ancient Silk Road, no passport required.
Many thanks to DH Noodles for hosting and treating us.
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