1. Fen Noodles
Where: The Kitchen, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EW
The whole menu is about the wide flat noodles and each portion is puled by hand right in front of you. Diners can choose Spicy Dry Mixed Lamb Noodles, Lamb Noodle Soup, Big Plate Chicken, Chicken Dumplings in Hot and Sour Soup, plus the Vegan Dry Mix Noodles and vegetarian dishes Curry Biang (fresh hand-pulled noodles in a curry sauce with onions and potatoes) and Garlic Aubergine.
2. Kiln
Where: 58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL
Larger pots also delivered a full-on hit, from a sharp and sour turbot curry to an aromatic Burmese beef neck curry, with wild ginger and pickled garlic providing plenty of fresh crunch. And don’t miss the clay-pot glass noodles with pork belly and brown crab meat: a comforting, dense and sticky delight.
3. Xi’an Impression
Where: 117 Benwell Rd, London N7 7BW
Xi’an Impression champions authentic food from the home of the Terracotta Warriors, famous for its spicy dishes bursting with flavour. Noodles are the star here – locals love the hand-pulled BianBiang noodles served in a signature Special Chilli sauce.
4. Koya
Where: 50 Frith St, London W1D 4SQ
The Japanese udon noodle bar first opened in Soho in 2010, specialising in freshly made udon noodles and dashi with simple, paired back interiors. 11 years on, Koya is now serving Head Chef Shuko’s udon, donburi and authentic Japanese small plates from breakfast through to dinner at three London locations. Koya’s fresh Japanese udon and dashi are now also accessible to homes nationwide, via Koya Mail.
5. Chang’s Noodle
Where: 36-38 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1EP
Fantastic variety of Chinese dishes and noodles to die for, all for a very reasonable price.