"The noodling never stops at this Chinatown favorite, famous for its beefy, brothy soups. From a ground-floor window of Plaza Swatow, the kitchen team hypnotically hand-pulls dough into lamian-style noodles, giving passersby a preview of what lies inside. Those who brave the frequent queue are met with efficient service and steaming bowls of soup, customized with noodles in their preferred size. Though soup makes up the lion’s share of the menu — and is its signature — consider opting for the dan dan noodles instead. They’re a flavor bomb, loaded with spicy meat sauce, fresh veggies, and an optional black tea egg. Know before you go: Though the Chinatown location is the OG, a new downtown outpost (four metro stops away on the Green Line) is just as good, and generally less of a wait." - Valerie Silva