All set to embark on a slurp-tastic journey through London's tastiest noodle spots? Get your chopsticks at the ready because we're about to dive into a melting top of amazing restaurants where noodles are virtually an art form. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty pot of ramen, a spicy bowl of pho, or the chewy delight of udon, there's a dish with your name on it waiting to be discovered; here are 10 places for the best noodles in London.
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Koya
Founded by the dynamic duo John Devitt and Shuko Oda, Koya's first stomping ground on Soho's Frith Street brought a slice of traditional Japanese slurping culture to the vibrant West End in 2010. Handcrafted daily at their noodle workshop, the menu reads like a love letter to udon enthusiasts everywhere, boasting a staggering 42 hot and cold options to choose between. From classic kake to soul-warming kamatama and the ever-popular kitsune, this hotspot has got it all. And yes, there's even an English breakfast-themed bowl for those seeking a fusion of flavours – complete with egg, bacon, and shiitake mushrooms. Your only dilemma? Deciding which udon adventure to embark on.
A heavyweight in London's food arena, Koya has earned its stripes for dishing out delish handcrafted udon noodles every day.
BAO Noodle Shop
The legendary bunslingers BAO brought their A-game to East London with the BAO Noodle Shop on Redchurch Street. With sister sites in Soho, Borough Market, and Marylebone, each location has its specialty, and in Shoreditch, it's all about those rich, meaty noodles. Drawing inspiration from Taiwan's beefy noodle shops, they're dishing out steaming bowls of noods marinated in a soy mixture and steamed overnight for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. They arrive in a bowl of flavourful broth with generous, flaky chunks of beef cheek and short rib sprinkled throughout. Drool. P.S. While these soups are a must-try, don't sleep on the vegan dan dan tofu noodles. They deliver a combination of bold, salty, and spicy flavours that pair perfectly with an ice-cold beer.
Best noodle dishes in London, you ask? A cult London favourite, BAO Noodle Shop is souper delicious.
Kiln
Soho's Kiln is an Asian-inspired gem serving fresh Cornwall ingredients in every dish. The venue itself echoes the simplicity and charm of a Thai roadside restaurant sporting large stainless steel counters and an open kitchen fuelled by wood-fired ovens, imparting a rustic touch to each and every dish. Speaking of, their signature clay pot-baked glass noodles, featuring Tamworth pork belly and brown crab meat, are the talk of the town – soft, crunchy, and drenched in a concentrated soy sauce and green chilli pepper symphony. With a commitment to high-quality ingredients and a minimal-waste approach to food, this Thai-inspired restaurant is a go-to spot for Central London foodies.
Best noodles in Soho? Kiln's glass noods with pork belly and brown crab meat are a sticky and comforting delight.
Master Wei
Best hand-pulled noodles in London, you ask? Chef Guirong Wei has been whipping up some of the city's most epic Chinese grub since Master Wei unveiled itself in 2019. Centred around the flavours of China's Shaanxi province, this spicy Holborn restaurant is a lip-tingling noodle haven. The biang biang noodles are the stars here – thick, charmingly uneven, slicked in chilli oil, and topped with pak choi, textured pork, as well as egg morsels, all mixed at your table. While the hand-pulled noodles steal the spotlight, the liang pi claims the crown for best noods here. These spicy cold skin noodles served on a bed of cucumber, tofu, and bean sprouts with lashings of spice are a force to be reckoned with – all for under £10.
Get biang for your buck at this cosy noodle hotspot near Russell Square.
Marugame Udon
A mega-sized noods hotspot in London that holds the title of the world's largest, boy, does Marugame Udon pack a punch. With a whopping 800 sites in Japan, 250 worldwide and 10 in London (including Bond Street, Oxford Circus and The O2), they've mastered the udon game and kept prices as low as £3.45. This canteen-style noodle paradise serves up the biggest, freshest bowls of goodness, and the best part is you can watch the magic unfold as they roll, cut, and cook right before your eyes. From meaty goodies like beef nikutama with short rib and onsen egg to fiery chicken katsu curry udon, the options here are endless. Hit the tempura and condiment stations, pimp your noods, and brace yourself for the finale: unlimited vanilla and vegan matcha soft-serve ice cream. That's right – slurp your noodles, satisfy your sweet tooth, and repeat.
Freshly made noods are the name of the game here, and Marugame Udon knows how to play it well.
Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles
A lunchtime hit among locals, Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles is an energetic eatery in the heart of the East End. Located in Spitalfields, this canteen-style spot is a sequel to Xi'an Impression, specializing in stretchy, starchy biang biang belt noodles. These steaming delicacies are hand-pulled in the open kitchen, then generously slathered with delicious sauces and toppings like Sichuan peppercorn, Chinese greens, braised beef, or cumin-spiced lamb. Beyond the chewiness, you can savour Xi'an street food-inspired smacked cucumber salads, boneless poached chicken in special sauce, and skin-cold noodles in sesame sauce.
Get your fill of stretchy, steaming delights at Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles.
Noodle & Beer
Noodle and beer? Now, that's a match made in foodie heaven. This trendy spot near Spitalfields takes inspo from Chongqing and Sichuan, cooking up deep bowls of goodness with a delicately spicy kick and intense flavours. The star of the show? Chongqing noodles (or xiǎomià n, as they say in China), dressed in a spicy ensemble of chilli oil, garlic, sesame, ginger, spring onions, and Sichuan pickles. Our standouts? The suan-cai yu fen featuring rice noodles with basa fish, sour mustard greens, and pickled chilli. And for the daring, the exceedingly hot xian jiao niu-rou – wheat noodles with red peppers, beef, peanuts, spring onions, and pickled greens. It's best washed down with a couple of ice-cold beers, of course.
A bowl-a-rama of yumminess, get ready to spice up your life at Noodle & Beer, one of the best noodle restaurants in London.
Bone Daddies
Stirring up the ramen game with its sprawling presence across the city, from Soho to Bermondsey, Bone Daddies makes scoring a noodle fix easy-peasy. This New York-inspired Japanese hotspot prides itself on bold, hearty soups that are sure to pep up your step. Offering a hands-on dining experience, they're all about diving into the delicious chaos of ramen, offering hair bands and bibs to make sure you're all set for a slurp fest. Swing by for a steaming, soul-soothing bowl of ramen, available in pork, chicken, and veggie broths. And if your dining companions aren't in the mood for noods, introduce them to the joys of a tasty bao bun – they'll thank you later.
Bone Daddies rules the ramen realm in the capital with its stretchy dance-on-your-tongue noodles.
Murger Han
Murger Han swooped into London in 2014, claiming the crown as the city's original Xi'an culinary wizard. This cosy spot has spread its noodle love across town with outposts in Euston, Mayfair, and Bank. Their claim to fame? Monumentally long, 12-foot biang biang hand-pulled noodles that are not just a feast for the eyes but a party for your tastebuds, too. These noods aren't just big; they're gigantically scrumptious and a blast to tuck into with toppings like braised pork, spring onions, chilli oil, or a rich tomato and egg sauce that'll have you licking your lips in anticipation. Drooling yet? We sure are.
Murger Han is your go-to spot for an unforgettable noodle chow-down.
Lo's Noodle Factory
Looking for the best noodles in Chinatown, London? Nestled down a skinny alleyway, Lo's Noodle Factory is an undercover joint that's been whipping up the stringy goods since 1978. Not just any ol' noodle nook; it's the grandmaster of noodle suppliers, serving up slippery ho fun and cheung fun goodies to a whopping 95% of Chinatown's eateries, even fuelling Michelin-starred Hakkasan. Fancy snagging some for yourself? Scoot upstairs for a bag of their freshest or some steamy buns straight from the bakery. No dine-in here, just noodle mastery to go. Ever wonder why their noodles are a cut above? It's all in the mix - a flawless fusion of water, rice, and potato starch that keeps them soft and snappy, even after a dive in the pot.
Grab a bag of Lo's Noodle Factory's perfect, stay-soft noodles from the upstairs bakery and bring the magic home.
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