Wen Cheng is a chinese noodles restaurant in Belgisches Viertel, Cologne.
Wen Cheng on Flandrische Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves hand-pulled noodles prepared in the restaurant window; a compelling spectacle before.
Must order: Hand-pulled noodles in spiced beef broth, watched being stretched at the kitchen counter
Tip: Lunch is the best time to visit; portions are large and prices are some of the lowest in the Belgian Quarter.
Address: Flandrische Strasse 2, 50674 Köln, Cologne
Shanghai Küche on Limburger Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves authentic Shanghainese dishes beyond the standard German-Chinese offer.
Order: Hongshao rou, red-braised pork belly slow-cooked with soy, sugar and Shaoxing wine
Tip: Small and casual; bring cash. The dumplings sell out early on weekend evenings.
Chin Burger at Friesenplatz in Cologne serves Xi'an Chinese street food including hand-pulled biang biang noodles and roujiamo meat sandwiches from Shaanxi.
Order: Roujiamo, the Xi'an meat-in-bun sandwich, and the spiced lamb biang biang noodles
Tip: Casual counter service; no reservations. The lunchtime queue is worth joining.
Coco Viet on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel offers affordable Vietnamese street food: pho, banh mi and spring rolls prepared fresh daily.
Order: Banh mi with char siu pork and pickled daikon, one of the best-value lunches in the Belgian Quarter
Tip: Very small room; takeaway also available. Lunch only or arrive early in the evening.
Gaffel am Dom occupies Cologne's main station forecourt, pouring Gaffel Kölsch from table taps opposite the Cathedral with Rhenish classics and Friday.
Order: Rhenish Sauerbraten with raisin sauce and Kartoffelklösse, the defining Cologne Sunday dish
Tip: Friday evenings musician Björn Heuser leads free admission sing-alongs from 22:30; Saturday has Brauhaus Beats parties from 22:00.
Brauhaus Sion in Cologne's Altstadt has served Kölsch at Unter Taschenmacher since 1318; lovingly renovated in 2012, one of Germany's most atmospheric.
Order: Halve Hahn with a Sion Kölsch; the Bratwurst with mustard and house bread is the reliable second choice
Tip: Open from noon daily. Less crowded than Früh on summer weekends; a better choice for a quiet afternoon Kölsch.
Shanghai Küche on Limburger Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel serves authentic Shanghainese dishes beyond the standard German-Chinese offer.
Order: Hongshao rou, red-braised pork belly slow-cooked with soy, sugar and Shaoxing wine
Tip: Small and casual; bring cash. The dumplings sell out early on weekend evenings.
Früh am Dom in Cologne is the second-largest brewery pub in Germany, steps from the Cathedral, seating 1,500 and pouring Früh Kölsch all day.
Order: Himmel un Ääd with Mettbrötchen to start; the Bratwurst platter for the table
Tip: Open from 08:00 on weekends; the best terrace tables face the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen fountain.
Chin Burger at Friesenplatz in Cologne serves Xi'an Chinese street food including hand-pulled biang biang noodles and roujiamo meat sandwiches from Shaanxi.
Order: Roujiamo, the Xi'an meat-in-bun sandwich, and the spiced lamb biang biang noodles
Tip: Casual counter service; no reservations. The lunchtime queue is worth joining.
Coco Viet on Brüsseler Strasse in Cologne's Belgisches Viertel offers affordable Vietnamese street food: pho, banh mi and spring rolls prepared fresh daily.
Order: Banh mi with char siu pork and pickled daikon, one of the best-value lunches in the Belgian Quarter
Tip: Very small room; takeaway also available. Lunch only or arrive early in the evening.
