Noodle Kingdom - Not quite a kingdom, but there are good noodles.

Noodle Kingdom - 3/31 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000

In the hope of finding a quick and small bite for dinner before sampling desserts at Astonish Patisserie, Mirko and I (Jess) found ourselves at Noodle Kingdom. So much for a small bite! We ended up ordering Chinese Leek Puff, Shanghai Fried Glutinous Rice Cake and a serve of Pan Fried Pork Dumplings. 

Chinese Leek Puff was filled with a fragrant mixture of spring onion (Leek?), mince, shrimp and chives, whilst the pastry had a crisp outer and chewy inner. A very moreish beginning to dinner! 

Chinese Leek Puff

For the unacquainted, Glutinous Rice Cake (Nian Gao) are very chewy, toothsome slices of noodle that have been made from glutinous rice flour. So chewy that every mouthful is on the verge of being a chore - something Asians seem to like, bubble tea anyone? Nian Gao are usually stir fried in soya sauce with pork and Chinese cabbage. In this instance, choy sum was used as replacement. This dish was flavourful and filling although, as with many Chinese places of similar repertoire, presentation was lacking. The photo gives more credit than due, with the sauce splatters on the side of the plate turned away from the lens.

Shanghai Fried Glutinous Rice Cake

Lastly, the pork dumplings came out, crunchy and chewy skin encasing a pocket of juicy pork meat. These dumplings are tastier, and of better quality, than the ones found at the ever popular Dumpling King on Moonta St. Controversial statement? Yes. Truth? Also yes. If it was a choice between the two, these would definitely win hands down.

Pan Fried Pork Dumplings

Noodle Kingdom serves food at above standard quality, at bargain basement prices. Where else can you get handmade noodles for less than 10 bucks? However, it should be mentioned for these prices you will not be paying for service. Service is poor, full stop.

Jess and Mirko give Noodle Kingdom 12/20 chops on the Chopping Board.

Food: 7/10
Service: 2/5
Ambience: 3/5