Noo Noodles Review

June 14, 2016 by Rich - Foodie Reviewer

Noo Noodles Review

I honestly believe, go anywhere in the world, the best food is found on the streets. No, not literally on the streets! I’m not talking about that half eaten, doner kebab you may find thoughtlessly discarded on the pavement late on a Saturday night. They always seem like such a good idea after a few cold ones don’t they! The following morning, this now congealed mess left festering on the pavement, bares no resemblance to the true beauty of that doner kebab you elegantly consumed, whilst wearing your beer goggles at 12am. I’ve said it before many times in my reviews, I love a doner kebab! It’s a guilty pleasure I’m not going to hide it. But, to see one in the cold light of day does often make me wonder why! I’ve eaten the real deal in turkey, for lunch, and take it from me; the proper Turkish ‘gourmet’ delight is far removed from our native English Doner. But lets face it, who can resist the bright lights of a kebab shop after a few drinkies. Like moths attracted to a light bulb, hungry drinkers congregate to get their taste of the ultimate in greasy, processed, incredibly unhealthy post pub food. Anyway, that’s enough about mystery meat kebabs; we need to talk street food.

Lou and I are fairly privileged; we’ve travelled a bit. What I’ve found to be consistent around the world is street food. Go to Brittany in France, their Galettes are marvellous. Just a simple buckwheat flour pancake, with ham and egg they’re great. Gyros in Greece, pretty similar to the good old doner kebab, but made from pork, served in a flat bread with yoghurt and chilli sauce; superb. Further afield, Hong Kong, with it’s under cover ‘Dai Pai Dong’ halls. They’re literally an area full of street food traders; I can get enough of that! India too is awash with street vendors serving up superb savoury and sweet snacks. When Lou and I were in India just earlier this year, we had some great Bhel Puri. A quick puffed rice snack with potato, onion, tomato’s, chilli’s and a tamarind sauce. Vegetarian food at its best.

I’m sure we’ve all noticed, over the last few years’ street food is a growing trend over here too. There are loads of vendors at various markets across the UK, serving up everything from gourmet burgers to waffles. Borough Market in London is a good example; I could eat my body weight, and more, whilst wandering through on a Saturday. We even have a ‘British Street Food Festival’. So its time to forget fine dining, fancy tablecloths and 200 page wine list’s; the street is where it’s at foodies!

But where can we find street food locally? I suppose you could class a plate of cockles and a tub of eels down in Old Leigh as street food of sorts? I can’t really think of anywhere in Leigh replicating the street food ‘vibe’? In Southend, Legend Deli are taking influences of street food from around the world, and creating jolly fine grub, with their own little twist. Wings Chinese on York Road, another fine example, serving up authentic Chinese soups and noodles you’ll find on the streets all over Hong Kong. But there’s one other place. A place I’ve walked past so many times, I’ve always thought it looked interesting, but never tasted their wares. Where? Noo Noodles!

Located on Clifftown Road, virtually next door to the Last Post, this is simply a kitchen, serving noodles of different varieties, to be eaten on the street, at your desk, or anywhere the hell you want! They have a pretty simple menu, and equally straightforward method of ordering, just follow these foolproof steps:

• Step 1 – Choose your noodles. Egg, Vermicelli, Udon etc.
• Step 2 – Choose a sauce. Black Bean, Japanese Curry, Oyster sauce etc.
• Step 3 – Choose your protein. Tofu, Prawns, Pork, Chicken etc.
• Step 4 – Choose your veg. Broccoli, Mushrooms, Pak Choi etc.
• Step 5 – Choose a garnish – Chilli oil, Sesame Seeds, Dried Onion etc.

So, following each step I ordered: 1) Egg Noodles, 2) Black Bean Sauce, 3) Prawns 4) Mushrooms, 5) Spring Onions, Coriander and Garlic Flakes

I went for the regular size at £6.00, I was feeling pretty hungry! However, if it’s a light lunch your after, just go for the half size at £4.00. Yeah I was thinking the same, if its half size should it not be £3.00? Oh well, I wont argue! Now comes the best bit. Behind the counter are two wok burners, where two experienced wok operatives get to work. I call them operatives, as to control the heat and get that wok working for you perfectly is quite an art, which only a true operative can master. Anyway, these guys toss the ingredients around in the wok with prowess and ease. If I tried this half the noodles would end up on the ceiling and the floor. Flames flare up from the wok, nearly singeing the chef’s eyebrows and arm hair. Within a few minutes of this street food theatre, your noodles are scooped in to a box, and ready to eat.

Well so far so good, Noo Noodles was coming across as a true Asian street food joint, just as I remember in Hong Kong and Bangkok. Now all I’ve got to decide is, where do I eat? Baring in mind, these noodles had only just seconds ago been flung around in a flaming hot wok, I figured I had time to head home rather than eat on streets. Ok, Ok, I agree, I’m kind of not getting in to the whole street food spirit. But come on, sitting on the kerb outside the Last Post, is rather different to wandering Temple Street night market in Hong Kong, sipping a cold Tsingtao beer, eating fresh noodles from one of the many hawker stands!

Safely at home, I opened the box, yep them noodles where still piping hot! I dived in and they where pretty good. Lots of prawns, nice firm noodles (and we all like a firm noodle don’t we!), a clear presence of whole black beans, so yeah, it was exactly how the menu described. Ok, I’m always gonna be biased, I’ve eaten similar in the Far East, so they would have to go an awful long way to beat them. But, as a quick lunch on the go, at your desk, in your car or watching the world go by outside the Last Post, they hit the spot.

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