For Guirong Wei, noodle making has been a lifelong passion, one that began at the age of six in the rural town of Bohekou in Shaanxi province, China. Over the past 25 years, Wei has perfected her skills, creating a culinary empire in London with restaurants like Xi’an Impression, Master Wei, and Dream Xi’an, all dedicated to authentic Shaanxi cuisine. Now, her mastery is being celebrated worldwide, including in the latest season of Netflix’s Chef’s Table: Noodles, which premiered in October 2023.
Wei’s journey began in a small mountain town where she grew up watching her grandmother make noodles, inspiring her love for cooking. Faced with poverty, Wei left school at 13 to support her family and moved to Xian, where she worked tirelessly in kitchens while attending culinary school. She was often one of the only women in a male-dominated industry but persevered, becoming the only female head chef in Xian.
In 2008, Wei relocated to London, where she joined the renowned Sichuan restaurant Barshu. Despite the challenges of a new country, language barriers, and harsh weather, Wei’s passion for introducing Shaanxi cuisine to the West never wavered. In 2015, she and her husband opened Xi’an Impression, located near Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. The restaurant quickly gained recognition for its traditional dishes, such as biang biang noodles and rou jia mo, earning rave reviews from local media.
Three years later, Wei opened her first solo venture, Master Wei, and in 2019, she received prestigious awards, including the Observer Food Monthly’s Best Newcomer and the Golden Chopsticks Award. Her latest venture, Dream Xi’an, focuses on Xian street food, bread, and dumplings.
Wei’s mission is to share the rich culinary heritage of Shaanxi, which she calls “the mother of Chinese food,” with the world. She emphasizes the importance of the Silk Road in shaping the region’s diverse flavors and techniques. Wei’s restaurants feature maps of the Silk Road to help diners understand the history behind the cuisine.
Through her work, Wei continues to promote the accessibility of her dishes, ensuring that people from all walks of life can experience the rich, authentic flavors of her homeland.
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