Noodles are ingrained in Australian culinary culture. Australians bought more than $350 million worth of instant noodles alone last year! When you factor in the popularity of pho, ramen and stir-fried noodles on top of that, you start to understand the impact these delicious strands of carbs have on our palette every week. Of course, with great popularity comes a surge in providers, and there’s a legitimate mountain of noodle purveyors out there these. So in an effort to help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourites from around Australia. As always, if we’ve missed your favourite, please let us know!
Ramen
Hakataya Ramen
Found in the heart of China/Asiatown in the Brisbane suburb of Sunnybank, there are two of these little hole-in-the-wall soup slingers within 500 metres of each other. Their bone broth is simmered for 48 hours, topped with the unctuous soy and mirin-marinated char siu. Gyoza and rice balls are also for sale, and kadaema (extra noodles) cost $2.50. The shop closes at 9pm (10pm on Saturdays), or when the ramen runs out.
Pho
Trang’s Café & Noodle House
There are condiment selections, and then there are the choices offered at Trang’s. Boasting fish sauce, an assortment of chillies and tart half-moons of pickled white onion, you’ve got a mountain of ways to personalise your bowl. The delicious noodle soup itself is absolutely scrumptious with nothing extra added, so don’t feel pressured to decorate unnecessarily. With heaps of protein and rice noodles aplenty, Trang’s pho dac biet is your guarantee of a good time in Western Australia’s Vietnamese heartland. The restaurant also serves a variety of daily specials during the week including bun rieu (crab noodle soup with pork) and the French-inspired bo kho (beef stew).
Chinese fried noodles
Hawker Hall
The little-sister restaurant to the Lucas groups overcrowded hotspot Chin-Chin, Hawker Hall is situated down the trendy end of Windsor’s hipster hub Chapel street. While not quite reaching the heights of its city situated sister, Hawker Hall does an amazing fried noodle dish. While not a “traditional” dish, the beef and black bean are incredibly delicious and worth braving the queues for. The wok-charred beef is accompanied by rolled, flat rice noodles and seasonal greens, and the viscous source will have you running your spoon across the plate so you can savour every last drop.
Pad thai
Lantern by Nu
The latest offering from South Australia’s Thai food savant Chef Nu Suandokmai, Lantern Nu aim is to produce quality homestyle food, and it delivers in spades. The menu changes depending what seasonal produce is available, but the national dish of Thailand, pad thai, is always available. And delicious. The thin rice noodles and tart flavours are accompanied with fresh seafood and are big enough to share between 2-3. Enjoy by itself for a delightful noodle hit, or have some of the delicious street snacks first if you’re sharing.
Laksa
Rendezvous Café
The restaurant itself is best described as understated and a little drab, but it makes for a relaxing atmosphere where you always feel welcome. Being situated in Australia’s northernmost capital city, the heat and humidity will help with the feeling of authenticity. Their laksa is full of rich curry flavours and is packed with noodles and whichever protein you choose. You won’t regret the visit.
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