5 /5 pamela lee: I highly recommend this noodle spot! My experience was entirely positive from the outset. When I was still deciding on what noodle to get, the person at the counter was very patient and did not rush me and also patiently explained and waited for me while I made my decision.
When I finally got my bowl of noodles, I was surprised at the portion size because it looked pretty big (see my picture below: original bowl and where I had pushed the beef aside to reveal the noodles). I had not ordered a free refill and yet it was still pretty filling to me.
Taste-wise: I really liked the broth as it was well seasoned, not too salty, pretty fresh. It was also a nice touch to have a bit of chives (I think) in the broth. I also found that the condiments above (scallions, chives, and so on) were cut to an appropriate to provide just the right bite: easy to eat but wont get stuck in your teeth. It was also a very pleasant surprise to me that I did not feel thirsty after drinking the broth (unlike some other noodle establishments that I have been to) and that was after drinking most of the broth (see my nearly empty bowl)! This usually means to me that there is no msg in the broth which earns a point in my book!
Beef slices in the broth: this was quite a highlight for me as well as well as from the first bite I could tell that it was fresh and had not suffered from freezer burn as it was not tough and chewy (unlike my beef at home). Instead, it was tender and moist. They were also pretty generous with the beef slices portion. I still had some spare after finishing my noodles!
Noodles: I had ordered the finest type as I am partial to fine noodles and it was pretty good! I found that the noodles were pretty uniform and not too soggy or lumpy, which is actually pretty hard to achieve for fine noodles. I might try out the wider ones next time! One more thing I must absolutely mention is the high protein content of the noodles. I was initially skeptical but I absolutely believe it now because I DID NOT feel sleepy/drowsy/I must sleep after having them! Usually, after having carbohydrates I am so sleepy!
Chilli Oil: I had not asked for chilli oil together with the broth but had opted to put some in later myself as I am usually not very able to take spicy food but I have to admit that the chilli oil was good! It was fragrant, not super spicy and made me crave more. My friend who had the scary, red bowl you see in the pictures below really loved the chilli oil too!
Small side dishes: I probably got most of the side dishes that were there. My favourites were:
1) Spicy beef slices: loved them! generous with the beef, seasoned well, slightly spicy, bell peppers and onions meant added fibre to my meal
2) Picked radish and carrots: slightly sour, slightly sweet, very welcome taste, to freshen my palate while having the noodles
3) Cold broccoli salad: I like broccoli usually but this was fresh and well seasoned and lets face it, we probably all need more fibre in our diets!
All in all, very positive experience and I would definitely come again for the noodles and side dishes. Will probably try different variations of the noodles and type in the future.
List 15 Budget-Friendly Restaurants Near You in Carlingford, NSW (part 2)
