Perth Voice Interactive

THERE is no doubt a lot of folk are doing it tough.

The cost of living is so high, a growing number of people are turning to food banks because they can’t even afford a meal.

With this in mind, the Voice looked for a budget feed that was reasonably healthy, tickled the tastebuds and was easy on the wallet.

There are cheaper options, but Noodler’s Noodle Bar in Como – trying saying that after a six pack – has been consistently good and I’ve been getting takeaway there for more than 10 years.

You get a huge serve of chicken satay with noodles for $13.90 which is probably about half the price you would pay at a Thai restaurant, and that’s before you add rice and delivery. Situated opposite The Karalee on Preston, Noodler’s shopfront is basic and small and won’t be featuring on Grand Designs anytime soon.

The austere interior has a few bench seats and a large counter displaying all the stir fry ingredients and freshly prepared sushi.

The old-school menu – a light box above the counter – had a large range of noodle and rice dishes including seafood mee goreng, beef and black bean, char kway teow, pad Thai and Singapore noodles.

There was a good variety of spicy and milder dishes, and even a Noodler’s box for kids with sweet and sour sauce. 

The concept is simple – the chef takes the ingredients from the display counter and cooks your food in an open kitchen behind the till in a matter of minutes.

There is no hiding place in Noodler’s – the cooktop is literally a few feet behind the counter and you can hear the reassuring sizzle as the meat and veg hit the bottom of the searing-hot wok.

I went with my all-time favourite – Noodler’s Special Combo ($15.90).

I’ve been getting it for years and can’t go past the tasty and filling medley of chicken, beef, roasted pork, prawns, shrimps and fresh vegetables.

The produce is all good quality and there is no fatty, chewy lumps of beef or rubber prawns.

It’s all finished with a light oyster sauce that isn’t overpowering or too salty.

Another highlight is the thick egg noodles, which have a lovely flavour and texture, and actually add to the dish rather than just bulking it out. It was a big serve and I struggled to finish it.

Across the table, steam was coming out of my young kids’ ears as they shared a chicken satay ($13.90).

I forgot the sauce had a bit of zing, but they managed to devour all the pieces of tender chook and there was plenty of veggies too.

My wife “Special K” brought up the rear with her Mongolian Beef Box ($13.90). 

This is another one of my favourites – slices of tender beef coated in a sticky sauce that has a nice salty-savoury kick.

It’s very moreish and the meat was good quality with no stringy bits.

“Those thick egg noodles are lovely and perfect for soaking up the sauce,” noted Special K.

We also got some cooked tuna sushi to share (eight large pieces for $8.50).

They were decent enough and pretty tasty, but nothing outstanding, so I would go with the noodle boxes first.

Noodler’s Noodle Bar did what it said on the tin again – well-priced, tasty, big serves and pretty healthy.

It’s far superior to other noodle-style chains and the one in Como has never done me wrong.

Noodler’s Noodle Bar
3/24 Preston St, Como
9367 8882

by STEPHEN POLLOCK