Pho Goodness Sake! 5 Joints for a Noodle Fix

Noodles are one of the most diverse foods on the planet – did you know they were once considered a luxury item?

The first noodles were created thousands of years ago in China dating back to 2000 BC and were made from millet, a type of cereal grain.

Noodles these days are one of the cheapest meals to eat, making them a go-to for budget-conscious families battling the cost-of-living bulge; they are also extremely popular as a takeaway meal or devoured onsite at restaurants around the country.

Here are five venues where noodles reign supreme:

Those seeking rice noodle dishes to delight the senses head down Scarborough Street in Southport to discover Sen Lek Thai. This authentic Gold Coast Thai restaurant oozes rustic charm with recycled timber, exposed brick and a cheery yellow feature wall with artwork depicting the homeland taking pride of place.

 

Don’t go past a steaming bowl of fragrant sweet and sour tom yum pork soup, or clear chicken noodle soup to start; before traditional main dishes such as chicken green curry, with sides of steamed rice and green papaya salad and pad Thai, with housemade sauce.

Mybella Asian on Irvine Place in Bella Vista is a modern Asian restaurant inspired by a relaxed, shared eating philosophy. Quickly gaining a reputation for both great food and professional service, this Sydney dining destination is surrounded by beautiful gardens; while indoors an Asian-themed décor is the foil for an evocative and diverse selection of specialties linked to the past and future of great cuisine and culture.

 

Dive right in with a laksa bomb of prawn and pork dumplings served in a laksa broth, or duck pancakes, with cucumber, leek and hoisin sauce; then twirl your fork around wok-fried flat rice noodles with King prawns, baby clams and Chinese cabbage.

Bringing a taste of Asia to Belmont, head to Sesames On The Lake on Maude Street for East meets West fusion fare with flair. This casual restaurant exudes a mellow vibe with wooden tables, Asian statues and accents, along with a relaxed seaside feel, ideal for lingering over dishes with traditional flavours given a distinctly modern twist.

Start a memorable culinary adventure with scallops on the half shell with lemongrass, kaffir lime and coconut cream; before noodle dishes such as chicken pad Thai with bean sprouts, egg, peanuts and lemon, or Sicilian-style flat rice noodles with prawns, squid and mussels.

Find delectable, authentic dishes on the menu at Chef’s Thai on Mitcham Road in Mitcham. This well-loved restaurant projects a relaxed vibe of wooden table settings, traditional artwork and a maroon colour scheme, ideal for catching up with friends and family over a Thai meal to remember.

 

There’s a wide selection of dishes to choose from – think starters of prawn spring rolls and dipping sauce - moving onto pad kee mow, with flat rice noodles, stir-fried with chicken, prawns, basil, chilli, garlic and mixed vegetables.

Find a fusion of Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese cuisine on the plate at Chu’s restaurant on Unley Road in Unley. This Adelaide dining destination delivers a vibrant setting for memorable meals with sleek furniture, white tablecloths and glowing red pendent lighting, as guests peruse a menu to suit all appetites.

 

Dip your spoon into a steaming bowl of hot and sour soup with chicken, shrimp, fish cake and vegetables; then chow down on wok stir-fried egg noodles with prawn, squid, beef, chicken, bok choy, onion, carrot, broccoli and capsicum.