Nong Tang Noodle House – The Overview…
Food: Pan Fried Pork Dumpling, Chilli Wonton, Soup noodles, Dry noodles, Range of sides
Ratings:
Food: 5/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value: 5/5
The details…
Nong Tang recently celebrated their first birthday, and while they may be still in their infancy, I think they’re well on their way to becoming a Melbourne staple. Set in Bourke Street’s Midtown Arcade, this bright, clean and comfortable little eatery is an excellent cheap eat. While small, there’s some larger tables to cater for groups, and it’s a little more relaxing that a typical noodle bar.
We got to enjoy a wide selection of dishes from their fairly traditional menu, starting with the dumplings. Although fried, these made-in-house (you’ll hear that phrase a lot through this review) dumplings were not at all greasy and we loved the crispy base. The pork itself had just a subtle herb flavour running through it, making them super tasty but not overwhelming.
We then sampled the chilli wontons with a homemade chilli sauce (for what appears to be such a small restaurant we were seriously impressed how much these guys were making themselves). These were lip-tingling but certainly not off-the-chart spicy, and there’s no build up – you’re hit with that spice from the first bite and it maintains the same intensity throughout. We loved how, although still pork, the meat inside these was flavoured completely differently and we couldn’t get over the quality of the food for the price.
Moving on to mains, we tried the (you guessed it) house-made noodles with a huge range of sides. The traditional Shanghai noodles themselves come dry or in broth and both are equally delicious and with super affordable sides, you can load up your meal with as many options as you’d like. Highlights for us included the duck Maryland, which was perfect – soft, juicy and yum – and the handmade pork meatballs, which had such a strong meaty flavour with a delicious sweet sauce. For a simple side go with the pork and vegetables, or the shredded pork cabbage, which packs a bit of a punch, but definitely don’t be afraid to experiment and try a few different options!
Everything else…
Website: https://www.facebook.com/nongtangfood/
Address: Midcity Arcade, Shop 16/200 Bourke Street, CBD,
Opening Times:
Mon 11:30am to 10pm
Tue 11:30am to 10pm
Wed 11:30am to 10pm
Thu 11:30am to 10pm
Fri 11:30am to 10pm
Sat 11:30am to 10pm
Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Parking: There’s some parking nearby in Chinatown, however, most will be a little on the pricey side, so best PTing it if possible.
Getting here on PT: It’s a hop step and jump from either the 86 or 96 tram route, and is an easy walk from Swanston Street Trams, or Melbourne Central Station.
Disclaimer: We dined as guests of Nong Tang Noodle House. Reviews are honest and based on our own personal experiences. We cannot guarantee things at a cafe won’t change including, but not limited to, menu items and opening hours, so please confirm any details with the venue before visiting.