Noodle Gourmet | 43 Easton Ave
Lisa-Anna Migliore
Noodle Gourmet opened twenty years ago with the impression of solely specializing in authentic Chinese noodle dishes. Now this regular stop for thirsty and hungry Rutgers students offers an array of assorted bubble tea drinks, noodle specials, rice platters, and other appetizing dishes. Owner Richard Cheung runs this family owned restaurant on the foundation of providing gustatory gateways into his culture. “Our food is authentic,” he said. “We base our food on Hong Kong style.” Although the décor is adequate at best, and most restaurants in the area serve similar cuisine, Noodle Gourmet stands out from the crowd with their signature bubble tea drinks and oriental style noodle soups.
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Their green tea slush bubble tea continues to be a favorite, for excellent reasons. Once one takes a sip of the creamy mixture made from sugar, ice, milk creamers, and actual green tea ice cream, he or she will not be able to put it down. The smooth, cool and lush slush is both refreshing and fun, especially when accompanied with freshly steamed tapioca balls. If one is looking for something warm to sip on these cold winter nights, then grab some hot taro bubble tea. It’s not often one can actually taste the tea flavor in taro bubble tea, but Noodle Gourmet gets it right. However, sometimes their bubble tea tastes watered down.
The Oriental Style Noodle Soup is another popular choice for customers who are looking to personalize their meals. One has the choice to structure his or her own soup by first choosing which type of noodle: flat rice noodle, thin rice noodle, spinach noodle, thin egg noodle, or udon; then, choosing one or two toppings: pork, white meat chicken, wontons, mixed seafood, mixed vegetables, roast duck, etc. The broth is made from chicken, which has been slow cooked until all the delicate juices come out, and topped with green scallions and bean sprouts. Out of all the choices, the mixed seafood soup proves to be the most disappointing. The “mixed” seafood selection only contains imitation crab meat, shrimp, and spongy seafood cake. Also, the soup base broth was a tad on the bland side, and should have been seasoned better.
The Gourmet Chow Udon Noodle Special, one of Noodle Gourmet’s most popular dishes, may also be the tastiest. The dish is decorated with dark red pork bites, green scallions, light pink shrimp, and golden pan fried noodles. All this rests on top of a slightly saucy base of flavor. The pork meat, which is stir-fried in a special barbeque sauce, is chewy, warm and sweet. The noodles are also perfectly textured and satisfyingly warm. The fish cake is tough at first, but softens when it soaks up the savory juices like a sponge. Two can definitely, and should definitely, share this dish.
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Overall, despite their torn chairs and worn walls, Noodle Gourmet is a great spot to grab lunch and bubble tea right before class or with friends. Noodle Gourmet will continue to attract customers of all ages and budgets.
Creativity: All in the bubble tea
Taste: Memorable
Crowd Type: College students, couples
Atmosphere: Lacking. More or less adequate.
Price Range: $5-$15
*Photos from Yelp.com
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