I was curious and went to look up lamian on Wikipedia. Found a link on the page for chow mein, which I followed out of curiosity. It was fascinating to see the way Minnesota chow mein was singled out as particularly bad. Unfortunately in my experience it's absolutely true. That was my introduction to Chinese food as a kid, so sometimes I'll have a little for nostalgia, but in the end it disappoints. I think if I had some that was well prepared I would be in heaven, as in the movie Ratatouille.

You can see here how difficult it is to make.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaeyFyQemDw

Basically, Ramsay (not really a slouch at cooking) is trying to make lamain and he's getting a huge bitching out by the existing chef who tell him it's going to take him ten years to get good at it.

I think this video is a good counterpoint to when Ramsay is outclassed, knows it, and is respectful.

I'm in MN too. What is the restaurant called?

I'd guess Little Szechuan[1]. Note that the original University Ave location in St Paul is now hot pot only.

1: http://littleszechuan.com

Actually, the Tea House nearby. I _think_ it's lamian. At least it has that super chewy texture. I have no idea if they're fresh made or not, though. Still, about as good as you're going to get in the area, I think.

Where, please. Really good Chinese in MN is hard to find.

There are a few good places in the Twin Cities area. The ones my wife (from Taiwan) and I really like are Little Szechuan, The Tea House Restaurant, Evergreen (but don't order the American Chinese food, obviously), Grand Szechuan (great veg dumplings made in house), and the cafe in United Noodles.

I love Evergreen's three cup tofu and eggplant enough that I figured out how to make it at home now that I don't live three blocks away :-P