Lexington, Kentucky, August 20, 2025
News Summary
Kung Fu Noodle has opened its doors in Lexington, Kentucky, focusing on hand-pulled noodles and authentic Chinese cuisine. Owned by Dennis Zhang, the restaurant features signature dishes like Lanzhou beef-noodle soup and spicy Dan Dan noodles. With fresh ingredients and unique offerings, it aims to provide an exceptional dining experience while planning future locations in Cincinnati and State College.
Lexington, Kentucky welcomed the opening of Kung Fu Noodle on August 13, 2025, marking the restaurant’s third location and a new addition to the culinary scene in the city. Situated at 535 S. Upper St. in the CenterCourt complex, this establishment specializes in hand-pulled noodles and authentic Chinese cuisine, offering a fresh dining experience for both locals and visitors.
The restaurant gained notable recognition earlier, being named one of Yelp’s annual 100 Best Places to Eat in 2024. With existing locations in Dayton and Columbus, Ohio, Kung Fu Noodle has a proven track record of success in the region and aims to continue bringing its unique dining offerings to more communities.
Kung Fu Noodle takes over the space previously occupied by Bandido Taqueria Mexicana, which closed its doors in April 2025. This transition highlights a continued evolution of food options in Lexington’s CenterCourt complex, ensuring that guests have access to a variety of culinary delights.
Owner Dennis Zhang, hailing from Lanzhou, Northern China, where wheat is a staple over rice, has infused local flavors into the restaurant’s offerings. One of his signature dishes, Lanzhou beef-noodle soup, is a revered favorite within Chinese cuisine and is crafted expertly to tantalize the taste buds of diners in Lexington.
The hand-pulled noodles featured at Kung Fu Noodle are a highlight, prepared fresh to order while customers observe the exciting art of noodle-making. This unique process involves stretching, shaking, and twisting dough, taking less than two minutes to complete. The restaurant’s menu boasts eight dishes showcasing these handmade noodles, with the option to customize further by ordering hand-pulled noodles for an additional charge of $3.
In addition to the Lanzhou beef-noodle soup, popular entries include spicy Dan Dan Hand-Stretched Noodles accompanied by ground pork and Chicken Fried Rice. All menu items are crafted daily, ensuring a commitment to freshness with no frozen ingredients, which is crucial for retaining authentic flavors. For adventurous eaters, Kung Fu Noodle features unique options such as chicken gizzards, beef tripe, pork ears, and pork stomach.
The restaurant plans to expand its reach, with additional locations already in the pipeline for Cincinnati and State College, Pennsylvania, highlighting their ambition to grow beyond just Kentucky and Ohio. Kung Fu Noodle has established operating hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., remaining closed on Tuesdays, providing ample opportunities for eager diners to sample their cuisine.
For convenience, customers can visit the restaurant in person or order online through kfnna.com. The dedicated team can be reached directly by phone at 859-303-4942 for inquiries or more information. The CenterCourt complex facilitates pleasant visiting experiences by providing free parking on the ground level for all customers.
Summary of Key Features
- Location: 535 S. Upper St., CenterCourt complex, Lexington, KY
- Opening Date: August 13, 2025
- Owner: Dennis Zhang, from Lanzhou, Northern China
- Signature Dish: Lanzhou beef-noodle soup
- Menu Highlights: Hand-pulled noodles, spicy Dan Dan Hand-Stretched Noodles, Chicken Fried Rice, unique offerings like chicken gizzards, beef tripe, pork ears, and pork stomach
- Operating Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays
- Online Ordering: Available at kfnna.com
- Contact: 859-303-4942
- Parking: Free parking available on the ground level of CenterCourt
- Future Locations: Planned openings in Cincinnati and State College, PA
FAQ
What type of cuisine does Kung Fu Noodle offer?
Kung Fu Noodle specializes in hand-pulled noodles and authentic Chinese cuisine.
Where is Kung Fu Noodle located?
It is located at 535 S. Upper St. in the CenterCourt complex in Lexington, Kentucky.
What are the restaurant’s operating hours?
Kung Fu Noodle is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and it is closed on Tuesdays.
Can I order online?
Yes, customers can order online through their website at kfnna.com.
What unique dishes does Kung Fu Noodle serve?
In addition to traditional noodle dishes, they offer unique options such as chicken gizzards, beef tripe, pork ears, and pork stomach.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Kung Fu Noodle Opens in Lexington
- Wikipedia: Lanzhou
- Cincinnati.com: Fortune Noodle House Closing
- Google Search: Hand-Pulled Noodles
- Cincinnati.com: Culinary News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chinese Cuisine
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
