Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

3.9 (511 reviews)

InexpensiveChinese, Noodles

Closed • 11:00 am - 6:30 pm

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Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Front counter. Mainly for to go orders but window bar seating for 5 people and a table for 3 - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - ##16 Hot sour hand-pulled noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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GENE'S CHINESE FLATBREAD CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise

Casual

Dogs allowed

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Joseph C.

Great prices and great food. This place was so cheap that I ordered a variety of dishes. I ordered the lamb flatbread sandwich, a lamb skewer, and a tea egg. The lamb skewer was the highlight, if I were to return, I would probably order like 6 of them. Perfectly seasoned and cooked with a satisfying amount of lamb flavor. The flatbread sandwich could have used a crunchy green or cilantro to cut through the lamb and onions, otherwise it was very delicious and filling. For 6 dollars, I can't complain. The tea egg was a tea egg, I was probably supposed to order one of the noodle dishes to enjoy it with. The atmosphere is a little dingy and there is very little space in the restaurant, but I don't really mind. I will certainly be returning the next time I am in Boston.

Winston L.

A major letdown. I got the Hand-pulled noodles and the Lamb flatbread sandwiches. The one component that stood out was the hand-pulled noodles themselves (thick and al dente). Otherwise, the noodles lacked oil ("oil" is a character in the Mandarin name for the dish), was overly sour from too much black vinegar, and barely spicy. Though the flatbread was the better item of the two, it had lamb that was just warm and not seasoned enough. And to make matters even worse, the cashier had an indifferent attitude during our exchange. Very disappointing overall

Anna P.

I've had the hand pulled noodles here a long time ago and it was one of the best bites I had in Boston so I had to come back. I was very disappointed when I got my food because the noodles were incredibly thick, barely any cilantro on it, the sauce was fine but hard to taste with the noodles being so thick. You get a small discount if you pay with cash but it's not worth it. I only had a couple bites and threw it away. Pretty sure it's not owned by the same people anymore. I won't be revisiting in the future.

Xi'ian hand pulled lamb noodles and pork burger.

David T.

The Botton Line: a gritty and cheap place for a quick ethnic bite in Boston. A few stools by the windows, worn old tables and order-by iPad. I was almost surprised at how low overhead the place was. I walked in and a "hostess" soft barked at me to order by iPad, which was easy and the menu was small. I got the extra spicy lamb noodles (sour, spicy, without a ton of depth) and pork "burger." The food came out quickly and I was very pleased with the amount for ~$16. The pork burger bread was bland but the meat had a nice five spicey flair. (i think I'm learning the Xi'an burger bread is just plain...and not my thing). I'd definitely come here if I really needed a cheap bite in the Boston crazy overpriced environment, but wouldn't rush back).

Sally L.

Not impressive, but not bad! Ordered the hot & sour pork hand noodle soup #16. It was a lot more sour and not that spicy. There was a generous amount of meat and the noodles were chewy. You order by yourself on a tablet. The place itself is on the smaller side. You have to also pick up and buss your own food. This is quick and easy bite. Quite interesting that they close at 6:30 pm on a Thursday.

#1 Lamb Flatbread Sandwiches #2 Lamb hand-pulled noodle soup

Esien N.

HUGE PORTIONS for the pricing of the foods here, the portion is HUGE. My friends and I ordered the Lamb Hand Pulled Noodle Soup and the Lamb Flatbread Sandwiches. The Noodle Soup was kind of bland ngl, there was a slight lamb taste but absolutely no umami taste whatsoever. The flatbreads were pretty good but the breading was a bit dry and the lamb pieces were a bit dry as well. It was also really really oily. I do love the portion sizes here though but other than that, the seasoning could be worked on.

Mark L.

This is a hole in the wall. But the food is interesting. I only have the spicy oil noodle. Honestly, they are spicy with sour. I prefer spicy and garlicky. But the middle is definitely legit. Hand pull. Great texture.

Tiffany V.

4.2/5 Lamb Hand Pulled Noodle Soup - super thick noodles with a very satisfying chew! Wish it were a more generous portion of lamb with less fatty portions Would consider coming back to try their flatbread! Visited around 6pm on a weeknight, not realizing they close at 6:30pm. Plenty of seating a couple blocks down by the Chinatown Gate if its a nice enough day to sit outside!

Chara C.

The worst pulled noodles I've ever had. First red flag was, after ordering, I noticed only two people in the kitchen - neither of them, including the only other person working the front, were chinese... perhaps not even asian (not sure). The food was made with zero love. First off, it was topped with raw carrots and blanched unsalted bean sprouts which are both completely weird and untraditional for this dish (and did not complement it in any way). It was incredibly difficult to mix it into my food without it all falling out due to size of the bowl and how they filled it. Secondly, the noodles were thick. Just thick pieces of flattened dough, uneven lengths (and too short to be noodle length). The sauce was crap. Usually its a mala/chili oil/cumin/szechuan flavor for this dish - this just had PRIMARILY balsamic (that's literally all you can taste) - and a bunch of chili oil at the bottom (which was not coating noodles well at all so you have to scrape the bottom) - but the chili oil was flavorless. So sour (from the balsamic) is the only flavor profile of the whole dish which was such a turnoff. The lamb was the only semi-decent part of it but needed to be grilled/charred. I didnt end up finishing my food - I was so hungry at that point and forced myself to scarf down what I could because I didn't have time to find more food - but had to toss the rest bc it was not pleasant chewing into the thick dough. Not a proper pulled noodle (barely even an effort at that).

Andrew L.

Came here for an early lunch on a Monday. I came right when they opened and was first to order, so I was able to grab a seat. Their space is small and they got busy fast, so I'd recommend coming at an off time if you're looking to do the same Despite the name, it seems their hand pulled noodles are the big selling points, so I had the cumin lamb noodle soup. While the warmth from the soup was more than welcome on a cold day, I came away fairly disappointed with the quality of the dish. The broth was pretty one note and super oily. It's rare I won't slurp the left over broth at the end of a meal, but guzzling that down would've made for a very unhappy stomach rest of the day. The lamb was super thin and had a very rough texture. It came across as though it were cheap beef from a random food truck The noodle quality was the best part of the dish, and even that was merely solid. They took on a lot of the broths flavor which didn't help things, but even from a texture perspective they left a lot to be desired. A lot of them fell apart on the journey from bowl to mouth, and overall lacked the richness and body I hope for from hand pulled noodles. While the dish is big and a good value for the area, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for noodles

Joey W.

Heard great things about this place so decided to try it for lunch. I ordered online and order was ready earlier than the original pick up time. Great if you need something quick! Hand-Pulled Noodles with Pork (half spicy) - it wasn't super spicy. The noodles were a little thick and stuck together. The pork seemed like it was boiled and just put on top instead of stir frying with the noodles. Because it had no flavor. I've heard great things about the lamb so I'd definitely try their cumin lamb next time.

#5 HOUSE NOODLE SOUP 哨子面 Spicy & Hot Spicy & Hot

Conrad L.

True confession. I've been coming here at least 2-3 times per month for the last 2 years. One the most unique menus you'll see even in Chinatown. Often filled to capacity by 12 Noon during the week, the variety of options keeps me coming back for more. Pork flatbread, a variety of hand pulled noodle options with or without broth and tea eggs make Gene's my favorite dining spot downtown.

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Marissa N.

Elite 26

103

3 years ago

Absolutely love this place!!!! I always get their hand pulled noodles with lamb skewers on the side! It's too good for words! Perfect meal to eat on a cold winter's day. The richness of the oil is probably bad for my arteries but I don't care lol. Quaint little shop in Boston. Must see! read more

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Matt W.

Elite 12

303

257

2 years ago

It's a weird hole in the wall--there are android tablets with visible charger wires to take orders, and except for when I got my food handed to me, no one acknowledged me at any time. It's kind of dirty and there's almost no seating, so plan on taking it to go. The food is fantastic. Get some hand pulled noodles. read more

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Val S.

2 years ago

PRO: If you're looking for spicy noodles, this place makes their noodles fresh and they have a bold taste to their soup! I enjoyed trying to me for the first time and will definitely return!! CON: You have to bring cash, I'm not sure if you can order online or pay with car there. The employee there doesn't seem to care too much about the service but it's a hole in a wall where you grab your food, eat there and leave. A self serve type of place. read more

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Lily D.

Elite 26

138

123

178

4 years ago

Serves food really fast! Mostly catered towards takeout orders. Authentic vibes, the noodles aren't too spicy, but gives option to add more or less spice. Good hot food for a good price. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #4 Hand-Pulled Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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katrina c.

146

123

3 years ago

Maybe we came on an off day because reviews are great. Visited on sat oct 14 around 330 pm. Paid cash and told the cashier we are eating at the restaurant. 20 min checked on status of the food and turns out the cashier had packed it to go. The cashier (maybe she was having a bad day or just started?) Looked very oblivious. The lady next to us asked for chili oil because the food was not good today and the cashier had no reaction. The cook in the kitchen had to tell the cashier a few times to take the food to a dine on table. The food itself was mediocare. The xian cold noodles barely had any bean sprouts and pork. The lamb skewer had a weird texture and seemed off - i had to spit it out. The lamb hand pulled noodles were actually decent. read more

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Jen C.

Elite 26

453

224

352

5 years ago

I came with my friend on a Saturday evening. I had a pretty hard time finding the restaurant - it's location isn't ideal (and it's a bit sketch - at least at night lol). They're only doing take out and they're cash only unless you order online. After verbally making our order, we waited around 10 minutes for our food to be made. We ordered the cumin lamb hand pulled noodles (#9). I specifically ordered mine without bean sprouts and cilantro. Since there was no seating, we ended up walking to Quincy Market to find somewhere to eat. I really liked the texture of the noodles - they were thick, chewy, and springy! They weren't overly garlicky, so I'm not sure where all of those complaints are coming from. The flavor of the lamb was also very good - perfectly savory/sour! I did end up taking out a bunch of raw onions, though. Overall, we really liked the hand pulled noodles! I do hope they open for dine in soon. read more

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Jeffrey L.

Elite 22

358

209

5 years ago

This far east, it's hard to find Xi'an food that is THIS authentic. I mean, it's almost literally from the other side of the world. The cumin lamb is true to its name - spiced perfectly and grilled to perfection. I also ordered the hand-pulled noodles and lamb flatbread sandwiches. The hand-pulled noodles were pretty good, but not amazing. Gene's is currently only open for take-out, so perhaps they'll be better when eaten freshly out of the kitchen. It could've done without the shredded vegetables on top - the textural contrast doesn't quite work with the bouncy wide noodles in my opinion. The lamb flatbread sandwich was excellent. Really juicy, lamby, and filling. It was enough to last me the entire day. What a bang for your buck. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - hand pulled noodles - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - lamb flatbread sandwich - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Sandy Y.

Elite 26

254

420

7 years ago

Cash only. Small hole in the wall. They're known for their hand pulled noodles. I got the hand pulled noodles with chili oil and a tea egg. The texture of the noodles had a nice chew to it. Only downside was that there was literally no broth to my noodles. The chili oil wasn't so much of chili oil but chili powder. Because the noodles did not have any broth and the chili was not oil, it was kind of hard eating the last half since the chili powder made it so dry with a chalky taste. Not comparable to other places I have tried but I would go back and try their hot and sour noodle soup if I ever come back to Boston. read more

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Ida L.

4 years ago

Definitely would come back again! Comments: Food was really good and I had a smaller appetite so the handpulled pork with flatbread was enough to fill me up. The meat came out fresh and you know because it's flavorful and juicy. There was times it did get a bit salty but the flatbread paired the meat well. I really appreciate that the bread did not get soggy even though there was constantly juice seeping out of the meat. I did wish there was some cilantro in it though. I think that would really help balance the taste and make it refreshing. As for the location, it is quite obscure in a quieter street. The interior was also not quite made for a dining experience. There were counters opposite of the interior that I took a photo of but not exactly the most welcoming. One thing to also note is that walk-ins require cash. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Pick up and walk in - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Pork flatbread - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Juliana H.

2 years ago

The hand pulled noodles are delicious and the lamb is well cooked. I just wish the broth was a bit less salty. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #2 Lamb hand-pulled noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Sara L.

2 years ago

4.5 stars. A small hole in the wall place, but highly recommend getting the hand pulled noodles with the flatbread so you can add the sauce and veggies from the noodles to the flatbread. Price is pretty good and the food came out quickly. read more

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Emily H.

2 years ago

Flatbread and meat was extremely dry, meat was not seasoned. The 孜然羊肉拌面 also had no flavor. We had to pan fry to reheat and season ourselves with chili oil and sesame oil. It's supposed to be thick noodles instead it's just flour split into four logs... would not go back. read more

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Brandon G.

Elite 26

188

121

350

7 years ago

This is the epitome of a hole in the wall. There's very little space, so if you don't come early or get things to go, be prepared to wait for a table. My partner and I tried a few dishes: 1) The hand pulled noodles: These are a really fun adventure texture-wise, but flavor-wise, are fairly low in spiciness. This was fairly different from more traditional hand pulled noodles that I've had, which have more chili oil. There's chili oil that you can add by yourself at the counter, but I wish the baseline were more flavorful. It shouldn't be up to the customer to make something flavorful. 2) The pork flatbread: These were greasy and dry. The bun and the pork were both two dimensional. Although the name of this restaurant includes flatbread, the flatbread here disappoints. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Hand pulled noodles with cumin lamb - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Pork flatbread sandwich - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Tea braised egg - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Erin O.

Elite 26

295

555

3 years ago

After living in the Boston area for a little while now, I've heard good things about this little hole-in-the-wall Chinatown restaurant, and was finally able to try it for the first time. We wanted to dine-in, and luckily there were a couple seats open for us to do so. The restaurant itself is very tiny and feels a bit cramped. They cater more to delivery/takeout orders, so there are only a couple tables open for seating. Dine-in is also cash only, as they do not accept credit/debit. We wanted to try a couple things from their menu so we ordered the pork sandwich, lamb sandwich, and lamb hand pulled noodles. Our food was served to us pretty quickly after ordering which was nice. The sandwiches were very delicious and flavorful, despite not having many toppings or sauces. The meat was cooked well and the bread was very unique which I liked. The noodles were also good but a bit different than what I was expecting. The broth wasn't my favorite, and I felt like there wasn't the perfect ratio of noodles to toppings/veggies. Still, I would definitely return back for their sandwiches and... honestly.... it's hard to beat the prices so you can't go too wrong here! read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Pork sandwich, lamb sandwich, and lamb hand pulled noodles - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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RL R.

2 years ago

Great soup! House noddle soup with pork and get the lamb skewers and add it to the soup! You will thank me afterwards!!

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George G.

1 year ago

So fucking good! If it ever closed down I might just move to the woods, what would the point be in staying around. (My go to is the number 4 with lamb skewers (at least 2) regular or extra spice, my wife likes the cumin lamb noodles)! read more

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Nan K.

Elite 26

116

287

5 years ago

I got the noodles and skewers for lunch today and was not too impressed. The hand pulled noodles were too soft/not chewy enough and the sauce did not have much flavor. I liked the pieces of lamb in the bowl and how tangy the sauce was but it was still lacking for me. Generous portions for the price, though. Definitely more than enough for lunch. The skewers were really tender and well marinated but it was a little too spicy for me. It would have been perfect if the two dishes could just find a middle ground in terms of flavor. I also did not expect to find beansprouts in the noodles. I would have asked them to be removed otherwise. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #9 Cumin Lamb Hand-Pulled Noodle - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #11 Spicy Cumin Lamb Skewer(2) - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Kate H.

153

3 years ago

This place was amazing!! You need to get the hand pulled noodles! New favorite in boston. Service was great. It says cash only but there is a iPad in house you can order from and pay by card read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Hand #16 Hot sour hand-pulled noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Keizzel C.

Elite 26

254

1689

2955

7 years ago

Love, love, love handpulled noodles so Gene's was one of the first places bookmarked before my trip to the area. Be warned that this place is popular and CASH ONLY. Lines can be out the door during the lunch rush and you can wait 10-20 minutes, but for being how packed it is you can get your food in ~10 minutes. Not the cleanest joint but hey, there are plenty of parks in the surrounding area to enjoy your meal. For ~$9 you can get yourself a delicious, piping hot, and flavorful bowl of long/flat hand pulled noodles. The #9 is a favorite and it's the hand pulled noodles with cumin/lamb. The noodles were thick and had a nice chew. They held the oils from the lamb/cumin well and I think the veggies on top added a nice flavor contrast from the savoriness. I only wish there were more chunks of lamb, but the noodles were tasty. We also got a lamb skewer ($1.5) on the side with a tea egg to try them out. The lamb skewer was OK for my taste buds and definitely flavored with plenty of cumin. Pieces were on the smaller side but it was a great bite between the noodle bowl. The egg was a nice option to try as well but I would likely pass from getting it next time. All in all, this place is an affordable option for fresh hand pulled noodles in the downtown area. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #9 cumin/lamb - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - With tea egg - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Theresa L.

Elite 26

1344

381

817

5 years ago

This is such a hole in the wall that I'm so grateful to have discovered. I've tried biang biang noodles in xi'an and these are pretty authentic. Their hand pulled noodles are so chewy and satisfying. Paired with the sauces and soups it's an amazing meal! Also it's really affordable - most of their dishes are under $10 with the exception of a few noodle soups. They also sell skewers and asian flatbread sandwiches, which are good but not as amazing as their noodles! They're cash only and takeout/delivery only right now. read more

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Tiffany D.

Elite 26

185

269

602

7 years ago

Do not be deceived by the appearance of this small, no frills restaurant! Their hand pulled noodles are crazy good. I've had their plain hand-pulled noodles and their special #16 - hot and sour Xi'an noodle soup. Super flavorful and spicy - but just spicy enough for the average person. I do have to note that there is no AC here so be sure to either have some water handy on you or try their cold noodles! Super affordable and big portions - must I say more?! read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #16 Hot and Sour Noodle Soup (ig: tmfoodies) - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Juliana G.

1 year ago

delicious as always!! noodles were fresh and lamb was very tasty! and very fast service read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #4 with lamb! - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Johnny G.

221

502

4 years ago

Knock your socks off hand pulled noodles with lamb. Lamb skewers awesome. Just eat there. read more

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Ian C.

148

5 years ago

3.5/5 For me. Some of the food was 4 star good (the hot dumpling soup and the cold noodles) but the pork flatbread sandwich was only "alright". The meat was really well cooked, but it was just the meat and bread, so it tasted a little bland overall. It just needed "something" to give it a little more flavor. The soup broth and everything was very tasty, the only bad thing I can say is that the dumplings felt a little too doughy. The cold noodles were my favorite though and I thought they were great. We split everything 2 ways but for some reason they didn't give us enough utensils to eat our meal... We got 3 chopsticks and 1 spoon... I'm an eating master, so I made it work, but for a place that is primarily takeout, they made it really hard to enjoy their food. That, plus they were pretty standoffish and not very friendly when we ordered. I'd probably try another place before going back. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Hot dumpling soup, but come on man... 1 chopstick + jank spoon is not the way I want to eat it. - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Cold noodles were good though! - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Mikayla F.

111

2 years ago

my boyfriend had wanted to check this place out after seeing it on multiple articles and was wanting to try it. i looked it up and all the videos looked absolutely delicious! we had came here for lunch today and i will say this is 5 out of 5. the lamb skewers were to die for and the noodles were so delicious. the liquid in my bowl, i don't believe it was broth, because there was so little. it had a lime taste with the cilantro on top. so great. enjoyed this very much, i would only say there was a good amount of garlic! if you love garlic you will love that part of the bowl, if not you can request for no veggies or certain veggies to be exempt from your bowl! i would highly recommend this hidden gem! read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #11 Spicy Cumin Lamb Skewer(1) #9 Cumin Lamb Hand-Pulled Noodle #4 Hand-Pulled Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Kimmi H.

2 years ago

I don't know. This place is hit or miss for me. The only thing I wish they can do is renovate the damn place. So uncomfortable to sit and so uncomfortable to order. Place looks dirty...but sometimes I just pretend I don't see it. read more

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Jae P.

Elite 24

181

406

3 years ago

A hole in the wall shop near Boston Chinatown offering hand-pulled noodles and lamb skewers for very reasonable prices. The seating is a bit limited but it is a great place to quickly grab something to eat. The hand pulled noodles had great texture and the broth was pretty flavorful. The lamb skewers were also flavorful, but a bit dried out. Service was quick and it was easy to order using the kiosk! read more

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Sarah S.

171

5 years ago

Very good noodles & flatbread sandwich! Ordered the #9 (Cumin Lamb Hand-Pulled Noodle) and the noodle texture was so so good! The flavor felt very fresh & surprisingly not crazy oily, which is usually not the case. The flatbread tasted close to Naan, and it also had a very fresh taste. Definitely try this place out :) read more

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Michael L.

Elite 26

789

582

1902

8 years ago

Ordered the #4 hand pulled noodle. Given that there's literally nothing to the bowl beyond noodles and garnish (no soup either), one can only expect the noodles to be amazing. Unfortunately, there wasn't much flavor beyond spice and garlic. It didn't have the texture that I enjoy from hand pulled noodles. For $6, you might as well grab a pho from one of the Vietnamese places nearby in Chinatown which at least comes with meat and soup for about the same price. Maybe it's the $12 bowls that everyone is raving over. read more

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Peter Z.

Elite 24

3 years ago

Cheap, fast, and delicious. Everything you could ask for. I got the lamb noodle soup and it was amazing. Hot soup and flavorful all around. The texture if the noodles was chewy with a snap, and the lamb was tender as well. Would recommend! read more

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Sophie C.

165

3 years ago

You will get close-to-authentic Shan'xi food here. I had a very content lunch yesterday with my partner- tasty lamb noodle soup, pork and lamb buns, and the meat skewers. The quality and quantity remained the same over the years. Big thumb to the owner to stay up. You may want to be prepared what Shan'xi food is like: Shan'xi is in the northwestern part of China. Due to the weather and approximate to Mongolia, with the influence of Islamic culture, the food tends to be heavy, meaty, less veggies, more flour, sour and spicy. The classic dishes include hand pulled noodle and knife-cut noodle with lamb, spicy chicken in a big plate, meat buns, etc. read more

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Wern O.

Elite 26

415

251

6 years ago

TLDR: solid bowl of noodles You're getting a bowl of lamb noodles with plenty of veggies for a solid price. It's currently take out only and ordering online was incredibly easy. I also like how they'll send you a text and give you a call when the food is ready. This place has been featured in plenty of best of Boston lists and it makes sense. It's a good meal at a good price. read more

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Eddie C.

Elite 23

324

2 years ago

The pulled pork sandwich and hand pulled noodles were AMAZING.. wow what a gem. I wish I found this place sooner. I can't wait to go back

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Nina G.

3 years ago

My go to for spicy noodle soup! Always great! -#16 is my usual order and the noodles are made to perfection!

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Eugene W.

Elite 26 All-Star

659

951

911

6 years ago

It's been 2 years since I first came here as in intern in Boston... it's still as consistent as ever. Very simple menu, very solid taste. Hand-pulled noodles are a must-have-- get the lamb skewers if you're still hungry. One thing I've learned, though, is that ***you should mix very well before eating***. If you don't mix your noodles, the garlic/spice paste will overwhelm your nostrils like a teaspoon of wasabi. That concludes this PSA. read more

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Kenneth L.

4 years ago

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe was DELICIOUS!!!!!! We got the lamb hand pulled noodles, the cold noodles, the lamb skewers, and the tea egg. My favorite was the hand pulled noodles - would recommend 10/10! They only take cash, or you can order online and take out. Definitely come here for a well-priced, delicious meal in Chinatown. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #8 Xi'an Cold Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - #11 Spicy Cumin Lamb Skewer(1) - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Nhung N.

Elite 26

101

310

5752

8 years ago

Tip number one: Cash only establishment. Gene's Chine Flatbread is located on the outskirts of Chinatown, Boston. It's right around the corner of SAPA and across from The Chicken and Rice Guys. If you have a liking for lamb, you have to give this place a try. There is limited metered street parking. For appetizers we had the lamb skewers, pork flatbread, and a tea egg. All three were delicious. The lamb skewers were juicy and tender and nicely seasoned. I wished their was more cumin but that's only me. It's one of my favorite spices when it comes to lamb skewers. Their pork flat bread comes packed with a generous amount of pulled pork. Don't expect a lot of flavors other than lightly salted pork because that's all there is to it. It has a very simple flavor profile. The cold noodle salad is light and refreshing with large amounts of shredded carrots, cucumbers, bean sprouts and sprigs of cilantros. It is served with a sliced tea egg and a sour vinegar dressing. For noodles I recommend the lamb hand pulled noodle soup which has a generous amount of thinly sliced lamb and hand pulled noodles. The broth is very flavorful and served piping hot, great for cold weather. The wood ear mushrooms add a crunchy texture. I found this noodle soup is very filling. If you prefer a dry version, the lamb hand pulled noodle would be a great alternative where you get to try both the lamb and hand pulled noodles. There is a bar seating area by the window that seats about five people. There is about six or so tables. We came around 3:00pm on a Friday and the restaurant was a third way full. I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups. You can probably do groups of four but any larger may be difficult to seat everyone at once if the restaurant is busy. You pay with cash and wait for your number to be called when the food is ready. Our food came out within 10-15 minutes. All of the noodle items came in takeout containers so if you didn't finish, you can conveniently take it to go. You can ask for a plastic bag to go at the front counter too. There are chopsticks, plastic forks and spoons, and napkins at the front counter. Their is also soy sauce, hot sauce, and chili oil as well. I find it pretty convenient to have this self service station so you don't have to keep asking for napkins and/or additional chopsticks or utensils. The restaurant was a bit of a tight space to maneuver and is also a bit stuffy. If you can, I would dine in to enjoy the food hot. But if you're ordering items that are served cold, I recommend taking it to go. See my pictures. read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Tea egg and three lamb skewers - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Cold noodle salad - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Cold noodle salad with vinegar dressing - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Cumin lamb hand pulled noodles - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Lamb hand pulled noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Menu - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Kim M.

Elite 26

446

514

1927

8 years ago

I finally tried the much-talked about and renowned hand-pulled noodles at Gene's and it did not disappoint! I tried the original Hand-pulled Noodles (#4) and the noodles were just the right thickness and chewiness. The garlic, spice, and acidity made the noodles addicting. The Boy and I could not stop eating it and it was not long until the bowl was gone. This place is cash-only so be sure to hit up an ATM before you arrive. Also if you like Liang Pi, they only serve their chilled cold skin noodles on the weekend - this is an item I will definitely be back to try because I haven't found a suitable Liang Pi yet in Boston but if Gene is able to provide, it'll be worth more frequent weekend trips! read more

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C.c. W.

294

7 years ago

Listen. I've been here 3 times now. The first, GREAT. The second, food poisioning. The third (today, December 11, 2019) COCKROACH. I went back after calling them and got my money back but there were still people EATING there and they were at order 80+ (I was #13) Dude. Update: spoke to the owner today, he clarified that the health department inspected them today (December 13, 2019) and found nothing... then asked me to change my review. While I understand that a bad yelp review is not good for business, you FED ME A COCKROACH. I have barely been able to eat in days. Everyone keeps asking me about it. I mean come on... read more

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - Cockroach - Chinese Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Julia C.

Elite 21

6 years ago

After seeing Gene's on a recent Eater list, it was on my radar to try but the limited hours (closes at 7 most days) complicated my plans. I finally made it for a weekday lunch this week and really enjoyed the hand pulled noodles and single lamb skewer. The value was incredible ($8.50 for everything), service was prompt, and environment is super causal - epitome of hole in the wall. Both the noodles and lamb skewer were packed to the brim with flavor and spice, and I cannot wait time try the cold salad and the flatbread. Others who arrived after me ordered both and my mouth was watering even though I had just eaten terrific food and was full. The dumpling soup that had recently been added to the menu was also enticing - motivation to come back again soon :) I will say that the hand pulled noodles were tasty overall but not cooked 100% perfectly so some bites were a bit chewy. Not a major issue and didn't get in the way of me loving the meal, but just a small area for improvement to make every bite flawless. Will definitely be back soon! read more

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Page 2 of 13

86 Bedford St
Boston, MA 02111
Directions
(617) 482-1888
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://genescafeboston.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe open?

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe close?

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe closes at 6:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe is closed on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 11:00 AM - 6:30 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe take credit cards?

No, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe does not take credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe have catering options?

No, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe does not have catering options.

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe have a happy hour?

No, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe does not have a happy hour.

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe serve alcohol?

No, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe allow dogs?

Yes, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe allows dogs.

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe have TVs?

Yes, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe have bike parking?

Yes, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe has bike parking.

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe have parking?

Yes, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe has parking options. Garage Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe wheelchair accessible?

No, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe is not wheelchair accessible.

Does Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe have free WiFi?

No, Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Chinese
1 Review

Ask the Community - Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

There are a couple of vegetarian options, but are they also vegan or able to be made vegan? Thank you!

I don't know the vegan concept well but per my naive understanding, if you're expecting no dairy/cheese/eggs from the vegetarian options here, absolutely yes is the answer! Just go ahead and enjoy!

View question details

Is there anything vegetarian here?

The hand pulled noodles (#4) is a vegetarian dish.

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The wine wall at Isabella Ristorante.

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Little Italy on a beautiful Boston night.

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Nick S.

1658

6089

26 days ago

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe is a small spot in Boston known for Xi'an style hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and flatbread sandwiches. We walked into a compact space with limited seating and a straightforward setup that keeps the focus entirely on the food rather than the dining experience. It operates more as a quick stop for noodles than a place to linger, with many customers opting to grab their food and go. The hand pulled noodles were easily the strongest part of the meal. They had the chewy texture and thickness that make Xi'an style noodles appealing, with enough bite to show they were freshly pulled. Unfortunately, the sauces and seasonings did not deliver the same level of impact. Despite ordering dishes that looked like they should have carried plenty of chili, cumin, and aromatic spice, the overall flavor came across flatter than expected and never developed the depth or heat that we were hoping for. It was too sour, almost like a vinegar taste in our mouth. The lamb skewers had better seasoning and a more satisfying flavor profile, but the portion felt small for the price. They worked well as a side order alongside the noodles, though they were not enough to elevate the overall meal. Nothing we tried was necessarily bad, but very little stood out beyond the noodle texture itself. Service was quick and efficient, and the food came out without much wait. By the end of the meal, though, we left feeling underwhelmed. Gene's has a reputation for hand pulled noodles, and while the noodle quality itself was solid, the lack of bold flavor and the overall value did not justify a return visit. There are enough strong noodle options around Boston that we would probably choose somewhere else next time. read more

Christopher L.

Elite 25

113

1 year ago

I recently visited Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe in Boston for the first time, and it was good experience. I've never had flatbread noodles before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but they left a great first experience. The noodles themselves were soft and chewy, and they paired well with the rich broth. The soup came with a great assortment of fresh vegetables and tender meat, making it feel like a wholesome meal that's perfect for the chilly winter days. The place itself is small, with open seating that fills up quickly, so it's definitely a popular spot. While they had a ton of Uber Eats, DoorDash orders take-out orders coming in and out, I much prefer enjoying soup like this dine-in. I prefer the soup fresh as intended and didn't want the noodles to be soggy by the time I eat it. For the value, I thought the portion size was generous, and the flavors really hit the spot. I'd definitely come back again next time I'm craving something warm and satisfying. Gene's is a great find just outside of Chinatown, worth the additional 5-8 minute walk. Ordered #16 Hot Sour Hand-Pulled Noodle Soup for $10.95 read more

Adam F.

3 years ago

I recently dined at the restaurant, having grown up in China with a fond appreciation for Xian noodles and sandwiches. Unfortunately, my experience with the food - including the noodles, soup, and sandwich - was quite underwhelming and fell significantly below my expectations. In the past, I have heard positive reviews about the restaurant, notably when it first opened a few years ago. However, based on my recent visit, the quality has diminished over time. The dishes we tried, namely the house noodle soup, Cumin Lamb Hand-pulled noodles, and Pork Flatbread sandwiches, were all subpar. The noodles and soup lacked depth of flavor, the bread was unremarkable, and the stuffing in the bread did not meet the standards I associate with authentic Xian cuisine. Given this experience, I hesitate to recommend the restaurant to anyone seeking to enjoy traditional Chinese noodles and sandwiches. The current offerings do not adequately represent the rich culinary heritage of Xian cuisine. read more

Jessica T.

11 years ago

My dear god this place is so amazing. Its a little small on the inside, which isn't a surprise due to the area that its in, but its a great place to be able to hop inside and grab lunch. The noodles are simply so, so good and everything is extremely well seasoned. Considering what else is in the area this is probably my favorite place to hop inside and grab lunch. read more

Edson J.

10 years ago

Place is great, open space! Nice and simple setting, the menu is easy to understand to order your soup, and the staff is friendly! The Soup is very yunmy!! Overall i say one must definitely go there! read more

Karen L.