restaurants

Nong Tang Noodle House

There is something magically nostalgic about eating Shanghainese food for me, especially when it’s cooked seamlessly to authenticity just like the way Nong Tang Noodle House does it. A place tucked in Melbourne Chinatown MidCity centre, it faces some of the toughest rivalry with the swarm of casual cheap dining options available, especially Melbourne restaurants that specialise in noodles. Nong Tang Noodle House not only left me with a perfectly satisfied Asian food craving, but also a warmth and happiness that only Chinese food can bring me! The good fat: Omg! It’s the middle of exam time and there’s nothing that can satisfy me like some traditional Chinese family-styled cooking that reminds me of home. Beginning with the hand-pulled, traditional Shanghai noodle with spring onion and soy sauce, the owner informed us that this was a SUPER SECRET recipe noodle found nowhere else in Melbourne. One of the most simple Shanghai dishes, the texture of the noodle was the equivalent of Italian al dente pasta, and the soy duck leg with braised meatball was similarly flawless. Similarly, I rejoiced in the chance to have some Xiao Long Bao whenever I’m around Melbourne restaurants in Chinatown and wasn’t disappointed – the flavours of the pork mince inside was on point! Another highlight of the lunch was undoubtedly the golden fried prawn with salted duck egg. Perhaps not a dish for those wanting to stick with some classic Western-Asian food, this prawn dish reminded me again why Chinese food is still my favourite. The light crumbs of salted egg yolk on the outside peppering your taste buds in preparation for the huge juicy prawns tucked within was heaven! The bad fat: Whilst the sweet and sour pork had a great balance of sauce such that it wasn’t overpowering, the batter around the outside was really thick, and a bit unexpected, quite different to the usual, thin coating that blends with the meat. I definitely appreciated how delicious the Xiao Long Bao was, but the skin was on the slightest thick side compared to other Melbourne dumpling houses and the soup could have been more generous. SHOULD YOU GET FAT HERE? YES – A convenient, cosy Melbourne chinese eatery featuring authentic Shanghai food headed by an authentic Shanghainese owner who loves and appreciates this cuisine. FAT-O-METER: 4.5/5