So, recently I made a trip down to Noodle Box, a chain of quick-service restaurants that originated in Australia, with franchises spread across the globe. Having heard a lot about their Southeast Asian street food, inspired by hawker culture, I finally decided to visit for lunch.
It's interesting to know that Noodle Box has its roots in Melbourne, Victoria, with over 80 locations. While most of them are in Australia, they’ve also opened up spots in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mauritius. All these locations are local franchises, meaning that each restaurant is owned and operated by local and family-owned businesses, which to me, adds this warm touch of personal care and dedication to the service they provide.
Chatting up with the staff, I learned that Noodle Box was founded in 1996 by two adventurous Aussies, Josh James and David Milne. Their love for the vibrant, bustling hawker centers in Southeast Asia inspired them to bring these flavors back to Australia. They opened their first Noodle Box on Chapel St., South Yarra, Victoria, and the journey started from there. The rest, as they say, is history.
Fast-forward to now, Noodle Box is hailed as the number one Asian noodle quick-service restaurant in Australia. Their menu is an eclectic mix of wok-fried delicacies inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian flavors! Whoa! But don't take my word for it, have a look at their offerings on the official website.
My Experience at Noodle Box: What sets it apart?
I've been to many Asian quick-service restaurants, but the thing that instantly sets Noodle Box apart is its approach to food. Nothing is mass-produced or left sitting under a heat lamp. Every dish is prepared from scratch, right in front of you, the moment you place your order. To me, it really highlighted their commitment to quality, taste, freshness, and flavor.
Another thing I noticed was the freshness of their ingredients. Everything that came out of their wok kitchens seemed like it was sourced right that day. Their strict adherence to quality was evident in every mouthful.
Plus, the variety of cuisines on their menu left me spoilt for choice. While most restaurants specialize in one cuisine, Noodle Box offers a bit of everything – Japanese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and Chinese. What's not to love right?
Add to all these, the fact that their franchises are local and family-owned, giving it a friendly, neighborhood vibe. It was definitely a unique and enjoyable experience!
The Noodle Box menu is diverse, with different proteins like beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, and plant-based proteins making regular appearances. The dishes use a base of noodles or rice, and the categories include:
- Wok-Charred Noodles
- Fried Rice Sizzling Stir-Fries
- Plant-Based
- Street Sides
- Create Your Own
I absolutely loved the Wok-Charred Noodles. With flavors inspired by Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, and Japanese cuisines, they were a treat to the palate.
The Create Your Own category was a fun experience. I got to pick my proteins, veggies, choose between noodles or rice, and select my preferred sauce. I’d definitely recommend experimenting with this. Who knows, you might just stumble upon your new favorite dish!
Recommended Dishes
If you're nibbling around the edges, I'd suggest you dive straight into their best-sellers: Chinese Combination Noodles featuring a mix of delicious meats and veggies, Indonesian Nasi Goreng (the flavors will transport you to Bali!), and the Japanese Crunchy Chicken (it’s the bomb!).
Don't forget to try the prawn toasts, veggie spring rolls, and salt and pepper squid. Absolutely drool-worthy!
Vegetarian and Kid’s Menu
For vegetarian and plant-based diet followers, there's a whole menu dedicated to your preferences. Some options include Seasonal Mixed Veggies Stir-Fry, Chinese Hot and Spicy, Pad Thai, and more. Fair warning though, the sauces are not plant-based, so keep this in mind when placing your order.
Don’t worry folks, they did not forget about the kiddos. With options like Kid’s Chicken Fried Rice, Kid's Honey Soy Chicken Noodles, and Kid's Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice, there's always something exciting for the young ones.
Noodle Box Hours and Delivery
Noodle box is open for business between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm. There might be slight differences based on the location, so do check that out. Plus, they offer delivery. You can order through the website or the app, or hop onto third-party delivery services like Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, Menulog.
My Noodle Box Experience: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Food prepared fresh upon order.
- Locally owned and operated franchises add a personal touch.
- Wide variety of dishes and cuisines on the menu.
- Vegetarian and Kid’s menu options are widely available.
- Create-your-own dish option for personal preferences.
- Reliable delivery options.
Cons:
- Availability of plant-based noodles varies by location.
- Operating hours may differ based on the location.
- Sauces used are not plant-based.
All in all, my Noodle Box journey was an enjoyable ride with real treats to the taste buds. I'll definitely be going back soon!