Chinatown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lin Han, noodle master
Chinatown Express Restaurant
The Washington Post, Nov. 30, 2016
Lin Han, noodle master
It's a simple window that looks out onto Sixth Street NW, but in a way, it's also a stage. Chinatown Express is the theater. "Fresh Noodle Made on the Spot," the lettering on the window, is the name of the show. For 15 years now, Lin Han has been its star. "He's the best one to do the noodles, the dumplings the steam buns," says the restaurant's owner, Lui Shing. But really, "He's a noodle guy."
The noodles are what stops people in their tracks on the sidewalk and draws them to his window to watch. Lin makes them every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then again from 5 p.m. until about 8. The lai mein are hand-stretched in a series of balletic motions — the production that Lin has been repeating all these years. He takes a lump of dough made from water, oil and Korean flour, which he and Lui say is the best for lai mein. He pulls it into a rope, and twists that rope around itself...Enough for about two bowls of the restaurant's signature dish.
—Maura Judkis
Erected by Chinatown Express.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 2001.
Location. 38°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Surratt Boarding House" (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Surratt's Boarding House (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover DC / Gallery Place - Chinatown (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Friendship Archway (about 500 feet away); Chinatown (about 600 feet away); Man with Briefcase (about 700 feet away); The Northern Baptist Convention (about 800 feet away); Discover DC / Gallery Place / Arena (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 20, 2018
2. Another sign near on the restaurant
Restaurant
March 8, 2013
#40EATS
"40 Dishes Every Washingtonian Must Try in 2013"
"Chinatown doesn't boast many Chinese restaurants anymore, but at decades-old restaurant Chinatown Express, noodles are still stretched by hand. Columbia Room owner and mixologist Derek Brown nominated the classic soup loaded with fresh noodles, to which he adds a pile of golden brown duck. 'The duck is rich, meaty and the very definition of savory. I practically live on this soup,' Brown wrote."
By Lavanya Ramanathan
202-638-0424
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
