Sometimes it’s a restaurant’s menu that grabs me. Other times, it’s a viral TikTok or a rave review from a pal. But Noodle & Beer had me before I even saw a single dish – for this Chinatown outpost, the name alone was enough. Because honestly, if there’s a better combination in the world than noodles and beer, I don’t know it.
Noodle & Beer in London’s Chinatown serves up the perfect combination / Credit: James Moyle
Found on Wardour Street in the heart of Chinatown, and right by the buzz of London’s Leicester Square, Noodle & Beer has built a cult following thanks to its unapologetically fiery Sichuan flavours and seriously generous portions. In this intimate Soho eaterie, the menu is stacked with dishes that go big on spice, aroma and texture.
To start, fried prawns and lemon pepper dusted courgettes prove a perfect beer pairing / Credit: The Luxe Review
The must-order? The Super King Braised Beef Ribs with Blanket Noodles. We dutifully order as we’re advised, and the dish arrives as an event in itself: giant ribs that fall off the bone, served alongside wide, silky noodles that are theatrically snipped with scissors at the table before soaking up the glossy, chilli-rich sauce. For heat-seekers, the signature dry noodle dish, Xian Jiao Niu-Rou, is where the real spice action is. Expect chewy wheat noodles tangled with red pepper, beef, peanuts, spring onions, pickled greens – and enough Sichuan fire to keep you talking about it for days.
And while these staples are a must-try, don’t skip the seasonal specials here, either. We try the indulgent miso and butter dry noodles, a perfect option for those not-so-ready for the Sichuan spice. Handmade thick noodles, dressed in delicious burned butter, chickpea miso and caramelised cabbage make this a tasty vegetarian option indeed. It’s pure comfort food – and naturally, it’s all best washed down with an ice cold TsingTao. Starters like crispy fried prawns and a surprise highlight, moreish courgette fries dusted with lemon pepper, are perfect for grazing alongside a cocktail or beer.
The Super King Braised Beef Ribs with Blanket Noodles are Noodle & Beer’s speciality / Credit: The Luxe Review
When we visit, a special offer – the Friendship Lunch – is running, offering 50% off a second main and drink when dining in pairs, making it the perfect excuse to bring a friend. But deal or no deal, this is food designed to be shared, passed around the table and enjoyed together.
The downstairs bar at Noodle & Beer is open until 4am – and feels like somewhere David Lynch would approve of / Credit: Rusne Draz
The vibe matches the plates: buzzy, bold and a bit addictive. Upstairs is bright and convivial, with beechwood tables and chilli-red accents, while the downstairs space, open in the evening and serving late-night bites until a very Soho-friendly 4am, feels like a secret speakeasy – with deep reds, velvet-draped walls, and a David Lynchian vibe. Wherever you perch, you’ll find a crowd tucking into bowls of noodles with the kind of joy that only comes when the food is this good.
Noodle & Beer is proof that sometimes the simplest names hide the biggest flavours. Come hungry, bring a friend, and don’t be afraid to sweat a little.
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Sometimes it’s a restaurant’s menu that grabs me. Other times, it’s a viral TikTok or a rave review from a pal. But Noodle & Beer had me before I even saw a single dish – for this Chinatown outpost, the name alone was enough. Because honestly, if there’s a better combination in the world than noodles and beer, I don’t know it.
Found on Wardour Street in the heart of Chinatown, and right by the buzz of London’s Leicester Square, Noodle & Beer has built a cult following thanks to its unapologetically fiery Sichuan flavours and seriously generous portions. In this intimate Soho eaterie, the menu is stacked with dishes that go big on spice, aroma and texture.
The must-order? The Super King Braised Beef Ribs with Blanket Noodles. We dutifully order as we’re advised, and the dish arrives as an event in itself: giant ribs that fall off the bone, served alongside wide, silky noodles that are theatrically snipped with scissors at the table before soaking up the glossy, chilli-rich sauce. For heat-seekers, the signature dry noodle dish, Xian Jiao Niu-Rou, is where the real spice action is. Expect chewy wheat noodles tangled with red pepper, beef, peanuts, spring onions, pickled greens – and enough Sichuan fire to keep you talking about it for days.
And while these staples are a must-try, don’t skip the seasonal specials here, either. We try the indulgent miso and butter dry noodles, a perfect option for those not-so-ready for the Sichuan spice. Handmade thick noodles, dressed in delicious burned butter, chickpea miso and caramelised cabbage make this a tasty vegetarian option indeed. It’s pure comfort food – and naturally, it’s all best washed down with an ice cold TsingTao. Starters like crispy fried prawns and a surprise highlight, moreish courgette fries dusted with lemon pepper, are perfect for grazing alongside a cocktail or beer.
When we visit, a special offer – the Friendship Lunch – is running, offering 50% off a second main and drink when dining in pairs, making it the perfect excuse to bring a friend. But deal or no deal, this is food designed to be shared, passed around the table and enjoyed together.
The vibe matches the plates: buzzy, bold and a bit addictive. Upstairs is bright and convivial, with beechwood tables and chilli-red accents, while the downstairs space, open in the evening and serving late-night bites until a very Soho-friendly 4am, feels like a secret speakeasy – with deep reds, velvet-draped walls, and a David Lynchian vibe. Wherever you perch, you’ll find a crowd tucking into bowls of noodles with the kind of joy that only comes when the food is this good.
Noodle & Beer is proof that sometimes the simplest names hide the biggest flavours. Come hungry, bring a friend, and don’t be afraid to sweat a little.
Noodle & Beer: The Details
Noodle & Beer Chinatown, 27 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PR
noodleandbeer.com Reservations here.
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