Top Chinese Noodle Restaurant in San Mateo
The Noodle Shop
164 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
Neighborhood mom-and-pop Hunan Chinese food restaurant filled with Chinese speaking Mandarin. Came here for lunch on a Friday and this small place was packed. You dont come here for the atmosphere, but for the generous portions of Hunan home-style cooking. Service was really friendly and prompt.Had two of the lunch specials served in bamboo dim sum baskets ($7.50/ea) that start with egg drop soup, an egg roll with the meal and end with slices of fresh fruit (orange and watermelon) for dessert: Shredded Pork with lots of Bell Peppers in Garlic Sauce on white rice and big meaty Hunan Prawns with lots of broccoli flowerettes on white rice. Both had enough spice to give it a nice kick, but not overwhelmingly spicy hot. Really like the fresh, crunchy (not from a can) bamboo. We also ordered the Hunan Special Combination Chow Mein and the 8 piece Xiao Long Bao dumplings ($5.95). Egg rolls were okay, not crispy skin, but a little soggy. The thickness of the XLB was a little thick for me, but overall flavorful taste, broth in dumpling, and the quantity make up for the dumpling skins thickness. It was good, just not earth shattering great!Noodles were thick, wheat, like the size of udon noodles. There wasnt much of a combination. Two shrimp, some slices of chicken, some fish, no meat, no veggie, a slice or two of green onions. A little oily, not spicy at all. Wouldnt order it again.Couldnt finish our basket meals so we did bring home leftovers for lunch the next day (which the Hunan flavors permeated over night and tasted even better the next day). Closed on Tuesdays. Street parking is 2 hrs and free. Would return and try out the 3 dishes for $23 Special next time.
Noodles & Things
79 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
Very disappointing experience with Noodles & Things in San Mateo! After trying this restaurant for the first time last Saturday and the food was delicious, we decided to get take-out from this place again today!For this week, we decided to get the fish noodles again (because it tasted really good last week) and decided to pay $4 more to get extra fish noodles! As we start to unpack the food, we realized that the amount of fish noodles we received was exactly the same amount as the ones we received last week (and we didnt order extra fish noodles last week). The mere difference was that the fish noodles were placed in a larger container this week, and it was not even filled to half-full. I even poured the fish noodles into the regular size container and confirmed that it was exactly the same amount as the one we received last week!! I called the restaurant thinking that perhaps the chef forgot that this was an extra fish noodles order, but was greeted with dishonest excuses - the waitress told me that she is sure that it was extra fish noodles because it was placed in the larger size container and told me to ignore the fact that it was the exact same amount as last week (at regular size without extra fish noodles). She even said if you want to make it look like it has extra fish noodles, just heat up the fish noodles in the broth and it will expand more!! To be honest, if I am paying the extra fish noodles cost to get a larger size plastic container only, why bother? And I did not appreciate the waitresss dishonest excuses over the phone - in fact she didnt even tell me to hold and investigate further with the chef first.I have to say the food at Noodles & Things is delicious but I will definitely never order extra fish noodles from this restaurant ever again.
Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles
11 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
I visited Ox 9 on a Saturday for lunch with a few friends, and we managed to snag a table just before the lunch rush! Its located on the end of B street near the Caltrain, so its not too crazy of a location in downtown San Mateo. Parking is not too bad on this side compared to the rest. The restaurant is tiny so prepare to get cozy! We were at a table in the back corner so it was a little cramped, but we were okay. The tables are also small so 5 bowls of noodles on the table definitely left no open table space. ?For placing orders, I believe you need to scan the QR code at your table, and order on their website (or app?).That being said, I ordered the Braised Beef with Chinese Pickles, with the regular round noodles. These noodles are phenomenal! I guess thats the best part about eating fresh handmade noodles. Not only are the noodles good, but the soup tastes great, and it comes with plenty of braised beef. This is a great dish for fellow braised beef noodle lovers. The price is also not bad for a huge bowl of noodles ($17).I also ordered the Juicy Pork Burger, and it was also amazing. The bread is super soft, just lightly toasted, and the pork was perfectly seasoned and juicy just as it is named. To add extra flavor, rip a piece of the burger (bun + meat) and dip it in your noodle soup. Just. ???The popcorn chicken deserves an honorable mention. The flavor is great, and has a good amount of moisture. The only downside is that its a bit expensive for popcorn chicken ($11!).All in all, I would definitely come back for more noodles and the pork burger.
Hunan Mifen San Mateo
123 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
New Hunan mifen restaurant in San Mateo. It is interesting that it opens next to another rice noodle restaurant. Parking is a challenge.It was not busy when we arrived but it was filled up fast. You ordered using your phone by scannjng QR code. We ordered dry and soup based noodles. The order was ready quickly. The beef bone meats are tender but not much meat. The noodle soup is clear and not spicy. You just add the soup from the bone if you want spicy. You can enjoy it non spicy or spicy. You get the coriander leaf in front of the open kitchen.The dry noodle is spicy. It doesnt have much meat. Both are yummy, but they are filling.Overall, it is yummy, but I think the beef rip soup has very strong spices, and I got a bit uncomfortable after that for some time.
Fen Classic Guilin Rice Noodles
121 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
A bowl of Beef Laoyou Fried Noodles costs 16.99, totaling 21.42 knives plus tax and tip. It tastes terrible, the quantity is very small, there are only two pieces of meat, really just two pieces, the noodles are not stir-fried, and the noodles are rotten. I cant afford it. The most important thing is the acid. I have never eaten anything so sour in my life. I poured half a bottle of white vinegar into it and it was so acid. I couldnt bear it. In line with the principle of not wasting, I added two bowls of white soup and turned it into soup powder. After swallowing, the taste is really hard to describe. I asked why it was so sour, and they explained that the powder was sour and spicy. What I asked was not why it was sour, but why it was so sour. I actually have a strong taste, and I love hot and sour rice noodles and hot and sour soup, but I can't stand the sourness of this half-bottle of vinegar. I definitely give it a bad review! The price is expensive, the quantity is small, the taste is poor, and the service...is average at first, but when there is a problem, I dont know how to solve it immediately and the rambling explanations can only be bad! ! ! Everyone, avoid this place
Zen Noodle Bar
668 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
I like this spot because its a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant. You can peer through the counter space and watch them making food in the kitchen; theres barely any separation. If you want to grab a quick meal that isnt too expensive, this is a great spot. You may have to find parking around the corner in the neighborhoods since the lot is quite small and busy.I usually get the dry black bean noodles (jajang mien) here. The spicy wontons were pretty good, but not really spicy, so you may need to add more spicy sauce to it. The fried Shanghai baos casing were too thick, but they were still good and the meat inside was tender.
noodleosophy
41 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
We were excited that a northern Chinese noodle place finally opened up in San Mateo. However, the restaurant was extremely disappointing! The food tasted very bad - the noodle was very thick, raw and in-chewable. The space was crowded and nobody cleaned the table up. The soup doesnt have a flavor. If you are looking authentic Chinese food, definitely do not come here.
Top other services in San Mateo:
Dynasty BBQ)
105 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
The experience at Dynasty BBQ Eatery was nothing short of delightful, from the savory flavors of their meticulously prepared dishes to the warm and welcoming demeanor of their staff. Whether youre indulging in their succulent BBQ offerings or exploring the variety on their menu, the food consistently impresses with its quality and taste. Celebrating a special occasion here, such as a birthday, is met with thoughtful touches, including a charming gift that truly enhances the celebratory atmosphere. This establishment stands out not just for its culinary prowess but also for its dedication to creating a genuinely friendly and memorable dining experience for every guest.
A One Kitchen & Bar
677 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, United States
Came on a Friday night during their opening period, no one else really there.The decor is a study in collision. On one hand you have the trappings of a traditional Chinese restaurant, like the porcelain tea cups and pot. On the other hand youre in a bar with plush seats, pumping dance music, with only a fork for setting and no chopsticks.The food is not faultless, but they are promising. The fried oyster is done well, crispy outside and juicy inside. The Dungeness crab salad is quite fresh and tasty, but the dressing is a bit much... wouldve liked it on the side instead of mixed in already. The chili noodle is quite refreshing but wouldve like it spicier.Their menu can use more work to include more appetizers that go well with alcohol. All in all I think the restaurant has promise.
Chai Yo Thai Cuisine
2116 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
I recently had a mouthwatering pad thai experience at Chai Yo Thai, and let me just say, it exceeded my expectations in every possible way! From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was greeted with warm smiles and a cozy ambiance that immediately transported me to Thailand. The fragrant aromas wafting from the kitchen only fueled my excitement for the imminent feast.Now, lets talk about the star of the show: their pad thai. Words cannot express how delectable it was! The dish was a harmonious symphony of flavors, striking a perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and savory. Each mouthful kept me longing for more, as the combination of chewy rice noodles, succulent shrimp, and perfectly cooked chicken created a heavenly texture and delightful taste that was hard to resist.What truly set Chai Yo Thais pad thai apart was its incredible freshness. Unlike other places Ive tried, their version wasnt weighed down by excess oil, giving it an air of lightness that only enhanced the vibrant flavors. It was evident that the ingredients were sourced with utmost care, as the vegetables were remarkably fresh and crisp. I couldnt help but appreciate the dedication to quality and attention to detail put into every single element of the dish.Furthermore, the portion size was more than generous, ensuring that I left with a satisfied palate and a happy belly. Despite being packed with flavor, I didnt feel overwhelmed or heavy after finishing my plate. This made the dining experience all the more enjoyable, as I could savor each bite without worrying about feeling sluggish afterward.The service at Chai Yo Thai was impeccable. The staff was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout my visit. They were more than happy to answer any questions about the menu and offer their recommendations, which made me feel at ease and comfortable in making my choices.In addition to the fantastic pad thai, I must also mention the overall ambiance of the restaurant. The cozy decor and gentle lighting provided a perfect backdrop for a relaxing evening of indulgence. The attention to detail was apparent, from the charming Thai-inspired artwork to the subtle Thai music that enhanced the dining experience and transported me to the bustling streets of Bangkok.In conclusion, Chai Yo Thai is a hidden gem in the realm of Thai cuisine. Their pad thai is a symphony of fresh flavors that will delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. With exceptional service, a cozy ambiance, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Chai Yo Thai is truly a culinary haven for Thai food enthusiasts. I cannot recommend this place enough - come prepared to be transported to Thailand, one delicious bite at a time!