You know when you read your favourite food blog site and they start it off by saying “I debated whether to tell you about this hole in the wall/gem that I found”. Well, that’s exactly how I feel as I write this post up. Sorry (not sorry) – the secrets out on Noodle Feast.
We went to check out Noodle Feast on a Sunday evening and the place was bumping! 99% of people were Asian and all speaking mando, which is always a really, really good sign. The place is small (and you guessed it, has hard seats). They could easily pack more tables in (they should really fix there layout to maximize capacity – it’s called operations management, duhhh) but there are only two staff working tables so maybe that’s not the greatest idea.
The menu consists of a whooping grand total of one page (another good sign) where you tick off what you want to order. They had a lot of things crossed out, HAND PULLED NOODLES being one of them, which was super disappointing. Will have to try those out for sure next time. Moral of story – go early.
Chinese chive and pork dumplings ($10.95)
You get 14 delicious, made with love, and oh so tender dumpling goodness. Seriously, they were that good – best I’ve had in Edmonton (note – not including XLB’s which are a completely different beast). Order this immediately!
Sliced noodle served with minced pork sauce and hot chili oil ($11.95)
I was pleasantly surprised that there was vegetables in our dish! The noodles, hot chili oil, pork and chili flakes all worked together to give you a delicious, slightly burning/numb sensation. Probably not the best way to describe it but it was goooooood.
Diced pancake stew in lamb soup ($16.95)
Only served on the weekends so I wanted to try one of their speciality dishes. The “diced pancake” was different, I actually have no idea why it’s called that. The lamb was tasty though and the broth, while simple, grew on me after each bite.
Soy milk glass ($2.00) – my friend kept on hearing everyone ordering this so we gave it a shot. I didn’t think it was that special but it tasted different than your normal soy milk. Slightly sweeter and rice based. Good if you can’t handle heat – so maybe get this if you order the noodles with hot chili oil.
Trip #2
Rolling noodle in special sour and spicy soup with pork and vegetables ($11.95)
Wow, this was amazing. Not spicy but the perfect amount of sourness to the bowl. So good you want to drink every last drop of soup.
Pork hand pulled noodle ($13.95)
Hand pulled noodles = the bomb. This picture doesn’t even do it justice but look how thick, delicious those noodles look. I’m drooling just thinking about it again. A must order when you go.
Chinese pork burger ($7.50)
A tad on the expensive side for one burger but it’s definitely worth a try. Crunchy, tantalizing pork on the inside, it’ll be gone before you know it.
Seriously, I can’t even express how happy I am that I found this place. It reminds me of this awesome, hole in the wall in Montreal that also served northern Chinese food (Maison du Nord). It’s as close a find that I’ll get here in Edmonton – heck, it might even be better!
Noodle Feast: The Taste of Northern China
3440 – 99 Street
Edmonton, AB
(780) 439-8088
CHERRY BOB-OMBS 