🍽️ Beef Ball Noodle

Spicy broth with beef balls, a Linfen street breakfast.

Beef-ball noodles are a hearty, iconic street breakfast in Linfen, southern Shanxi. Chewy noodles are served with firm beef meatballs and a fiery red broth. The balls are hand-rolled from freshly minced beef so they stay dense and springy after boiling, while the soup is built from chili oil, beef stock and spices for a deep, bold heat. A bowl arrives covered in red oil; with cilantro and scallions, eating the noodles and soup together works up a satisfying sweat. Generous in portion and intense in flavor, it is a common way for Linfen locals to start the day and reflects the robust, chili-loving tastes of southern Shanxi.