#navbar-iframe { display: none; }

« Home | Cafe Joy, Haymarket » | Saint Honore Cake Shop, Haymarket » | Paddington Inn, Paddington » | Daniang, Haymarket » | Apple cinnamon porridge with toasted hazelnuts » | Sydney Fish Market, Pyrmont » | Soup Plus, Sydney » | Longrain, Surry Hills » | The Porterhouse, Surry Hills » | Rise, Darlinghurst »

Monday, May 16, 2005

China Noodle King

China Noodle King is a relatively new addition to the dumpling dragstrip of Sydney's Chinatown. Jammed in amongst nameless travel agents and internet cafes on the Railway Square end of George Street, it's only the picture menu taped to the wall which attacts your passing attention.


Does it pass the Step Over the Threshold Test though...
No nonsense food photos --check
Three-word menu descriptions --check
Laminate tables with DIY condiments and chopsticks on every table --check
Locals inside eating --check

Looks good.
We're going in.



Wild jujube drink $3.00
Tasted like grass water to me. Buffalo grass. But the person who ordered it liked it (getting the bottle open took us ten minutes alone though... those old fashioned ring pulls were phased out for a reason. They just snap off and leave you frustrated. And still thirsty!).


Fried pancake with spring onion $3.80
A little oilier than we prefer, and not quite enough spring onion. But still good.


Stretched fried noodles with beef and vegetables $7.80 (large)
Simple but tasty and delicious.



Fried dumplings with pork and leek filling $7.80 for 16

Now this is value-for-money. Who needs mascots and booth seating? We just want dumplings. And lots of 'em. Not quite as tacky in texture as I would've liked, but really, $7.80 for 16? You can't say a cross word.

This is no-frills, family-run, ambience-free eating. Chairs scraping on bare floors. Giant red hearts sticky-taped to the wall. Menus in plastic sleeves so wrinkly you can barely see past all the reflections.

Just what we love.


China Noodle King
800 George Street Haymarket Sydney
Tel: 02 9212 4944
10 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (AugustusGloop) on 5/16/2005 11:59:00 pm


10 Comments:

  • At 5/17/2005 8:02 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    But did you see the business cards? Classic. (My review with scan of the card is here).

    After a strong start - earning it the name New Noodle Man - nowadays the only reasons I go to Noodle King is to get a seat without waiting! They also do a mean very-spicy pancake-thing.

     
  • At 5/17/2005 3:22 pm, Blogger Ms One Boobie said…

    Yes.. simple and yums.. AG!!

     
  • At 5/17/2005 11:23 pm, Blogger Niki said…

    I love the look of those dumplings. There's a place here in Melbourne Chinatown called Camy Shanghai Dumpling which we ADORE. The dumplings are incredible, and are only $6 for a plate of 15. You can stuff yourself with all kinds of dumplings, and their AMAZINGLY cook pumpkin cakes (like little crunchy sweet/salty pumpkin fritters) and be out of there for about $12. God, I love that place....

     
  • At 5/18/2005 12:16 am, Blogger pinkcocoa said…

    Ohhh I love the slightly burnt look of the dumplings. They just look so inviting and I am already imagining the perfect combination of hot juicy succulent fillings with crunchy & crispy outside!
    Oh I checked out Casey's review of the business card. It's hilarious! And so chinese!! Geez, I am so envious of you, AG that you get to sample all these yummy food from the chinatown area!

     
  • At 5/18/2005 7:39 am, Blogger Veruca Salt said…

    Just checked out business card. LOL. People at work are staring now.
    Sooo Asian. Reminds me of that one in Vietnam. No delicious, no pay.

     
  • At 5/18/2005 4:33 pm, Blogger Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

    Hi Casey - We forgot to get their business card but I do remember reading your post on it. Thanks for the reminder. You couldn't even try to make that card funnier! =)

    Yeah we ordered the shallot pancake and then realised we should've organised the pork & leek after watching one float past enticingly. Must go back again soon.

    Hi Mrs T - That's the way I like it!

    Hi Niki - Ooh those pumpkin cakes sound good. You had me at the word 'crunchy'. That must mean deep-fried. Ooh good... I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Melb - err maybe sales time? =)

    Hi pinkcocoa - They were very crispy! I hate it when they don't fry them long enough and they're basically steamed and barely pale golden on the bottom.

    The business card is funny. Too bad I forgot to ask for one myself!

    And Chinatown is never far away...

    Hi Veruca Salt - You wonder sometimes whether these cards are deliberately funny. Or maybe they used an Internet translator. Maybe it's a deliberate ploy to get on Rove... =)

     
  • At 5/19/2005 8:02 am, Blogger Veruca Salt said…

    Yes, send it in to Rove. Casey gets first dibs.

     
  • At 5/20/2005 9:17 am, Blogger Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

    Hi Veruca Salt - Casey's got the original card (but will he want to give it up?).

    On second thoughts, it's probably not juvenile/smutty enough for Rove airplay =)

     
  • At 7/16/2008 5:07 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    AG - please also try Sea Bay on Pitt St behind World Square. That has long been our favourite for dumplings.
    Stan.

     
  • At 7/16/2008 8:15 pm, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Stan - I've often walked past Sea Bay but still haven't made it inside. I'll have to add it to my already very long list :)

     

Post a Comment

<< Home


      << Read Older Posts       |       >> Read Newer Posts