Everybody loves noodles. They’re slurp-tastic and slippery, healthy and filling, spicy and warming. Sure every once in a while you hit yourself in the eye with some hot broth, or look suspiciously like someone learning to eat for the first time as you ram that ramen into your mouth, but it’s all worth it. March (as I’m sure you already know) is National Noodle Month – because a day to celebrate udon, yakisoba, ramen and many more besides, just isn’t enough. Find the best noodles London has to offer with our handy guide…
For the best Japanese ramen head to…
“No faff, just incredible food”; this “tiny” and “simple” Soho Japanese is ferociously popular, especially for its udon noodles.
“Addictive” noodles, “sticky and spicy ribs”, “fried chicken to die for”… – that’s the deal making a runaway hit of this “hip” Soho “ramen-erie”, where “aged 40, you feel very old and square”; “the queues, OMG the queues…”
“Fast, furious, and packed to the rafters!” – these “basic” and “very noisy” Japanese pit stops major in “wonderful broth and noodles” and “tasty hirata buns”.
You eat “with someone texting at your elbow” amidst the “controlled chaos” of this “cramped” Soho ramen bar, which serves “consistently good noodles to sooth the soul”; it now has a larger branch in Haggerston and a Hackney Central outpost too.
Japanese newcomers worth a visit…
A first London site for the Yukuhashi based restaurant, landing up on the fringes of Theatreland.
Fusing different cuisines from around the world, this is ramen with a twist; the pop-up-turns-perm opens on the Upper Street site of a former Strada.
The craze for all things noodle and broth continues with the launch of this udon specialist spot, on the former site of Shibuya.
This globally popular ramen bar opens its first European outpost in Central St Giles.
For fabulous pho, head to…
“The daily queue snaking down the street” attests to the charms of this Vietnamese canteen/take-away, near Bank – arrive before noon for “phenomenally good” pho, and “báhn mi that always hit the spot”.
“Wow, I haven’t had such great pho since I was in Vietnam!” – early reports on this “infuriatingly hip” Dalston spot agree the food is “authentic”, and service is “friendly” too.
“The best place on the Viet-Town strip” – this “upmarket… for the area” Shoreditch café offers “very tasty and authentic dishes at reasonable prices”.
It’s a relatively new kid on the block, just a few doors down from the mighty (and perhaps fallen?) Sông Quê. The signature dish, from which this Vietnamese café takes its name, bun cha, is a delicious combination of vermicelli noodles, meat, veg and broth, topped with spring rolls.
And for the best Chinese noodles try..
“Still the place for lobster noodles” (and “so many other interesting dishes” too), this “densely packed” Bayswater Chinese may be a bit of a “dump”, but it remains as “reliable” a destination as you’ll find.
“Extraordinarily good dim sum” are a highlight of the “wacky” and “exciting” dishes on offer at this “canteen-style” Chinese yearling, five minutes’ walk from Victoria. You’ll also find London’s best homemade won ton noodle soup.
Or for Pad Thai stop by…
“The best Thai food in town” can come as a “surprise” find at this unassuming shop-conversion in deepest Fulham; “charming” service helps offset the “cramped” conditions, though, and it always feels “busy” and “buzzy”.
“Best Thai food I’ve tasted outside Thailand!” – no wonder this “brisk” no-bookings local, in Peckham, is starting to make quite a name for itself. Try their duck noodle soup with sour chilli sauce, garlic oil and pork scratchings.
“Fast, furious and full of fun!”; you don’t just get “delicious” Thai scoff at “silly-cheap” prices at this “quirky” pub, off Notting Hill Gate, but also a “fantastic” setting in a “cute and interesting” flower-filled conservatory.
